Liverpool: Audio recordings of the VAR breakdown against Tottenham released

Audio recordings released

A false perception by the video referee is the reason for the serious video evidence breakdown in the top game between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC. This is confirmed by a recording of the debate between those involved, which was published by the British media.

In the game, a goal by Liverpool’s Luis Díaz in the 34th minute was disallowed for offside. Even after the video referee checked, the decision stood – wrongly. The referee association PGMOL admitted a “significant human error in the decision”.

As can be heard in the audio recording, after a review, the video referee confirmed: “Check finished, check finished. Everything is correct.” When the game then continued with a free kick for Tottenham, the technician in charge noticed the error: The referee on the pitch had ruled it to be offside, but the video referee thought that the goal had been assessed as valid and therefore had not intervened.

When the error was noticed, calls were made to stop the game, as can be heard further. But the video referee was powerless – because the game had already continued. His comment: “I can’t do anything. Crap!”

Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp said immediately after the game that it had been the “most unfair circumstances and craziest decisions”. In addition to the incorrectly missed goal, his team also received two sending-offs and lost the game 1-2. The affected video referees have been withdrawn from further assignments for the time being. The Reds announced that they would examine the chances of appealing the game scoring.

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