Liverpool acknowledges the admission of errors from PGMOL and calls for transparency
Liverpool Football Club have released an official statement to acknowledge the admission of errors from PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited). The Reds are pressing for a resolution to restore the compromised integrity of sports.
Liverpool lost the Premier League game 1-2 against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday after a series of dubious decisions. Simon Cooper officiated the game with Darren England and Dan Cook assisting as Video Assistant Referees (VAR) officials.
Liverpool’s Response and Call for Transparency
Liverpool’s official statement acknowledged PGMOL’s admission of their failures and accepted the pressure on match officials. The statement read:
“Liverpool Football Club acknowledges PGMOL’s admission of their failures last night. It is clear that the correct application of the laws of the game did not occur, resulting in sporting integrity being undermined.”
The Reds’ official statement further emphasized that PGMO’s reason for the error is simply “unacceptable.” They added:
“Such failings have already been categorized as “significant human error,” which is also unacceptable. Any and all outcomes should be established only by review and with full transparency. In the meantime, we will explore the range of options available, given the clear need for escalation and resolution.”
Liverpool will "explore the range of options available" after the VAR error during their defeat to Tottenham. pic.twitter.com/cIH9Ift43d
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 1, 2023
Controversial decisions mar the game
The main talking point of the evening revolved around Luis Diaz‘s legitimate goal, which VAR ruled offside after a quick review, a decision that proved to be blatantly wrong and further hinted at a strong bias against the visitors.
PGMOL issued a statement to admit the mistake their officials made during the game when they disallowed a Liverpool goal. PGMOL stated that the mistake happened due to “significant human error.”
Questionable bookings and red cards
The controversial game involved two red cards and five yellow cards shown to Liverpool players, including assistant manager Peter Krawietz. Curtis Jones received the red card early in the first half after slipping over the football and catching Yves Bissouma. The VAR paused the review during the physical contact instead of starting the review from the beginning.
The first half also witnessed a penalty incident involving Joe Gomez and Mickey van de Ven, which went unheeded. The tackle resembled the one that resulted in Virgil van Dijk receiving a red card against Newcastle United.
Diogo Jota was the recipient of two yellow cards within a span of a minute during the 2nd half. The Portuguese received the first booking after Destiny Udogie clipped his own feet while running with the ball. The Spurs left-back gestured for the yellow card to the referee, to which the official obliged.
Notably, Alexis Mac Allister received a booking in the opening-day Premier League game against Chelsea for making a similar gesture. New rules had stated that they would issue a mandatory red card for players who goaded opponents into bookings. Spurs midfielder James Maddison was constantly on the referee’s ear throughout the game.
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The game has left the whole footballing world baffled with extreme bias shown against the Reds, costing them three points. Kopites were still proud of their players for standing against all odds and playing with passion right to the end. The club and its supporters hope there will be changes for the betterment of the game they dearly love.
