The Premier League's officiating body, PGMOL, has been plunged into fresh controversy after admitting to two critical VAR failures during Chelsea's heart-breaking 4-3 loss to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
In a stunning admission, the refereeing organisation confirmed that Chelsea were wrongly denied not one, but two clear-cut penalties during the chaotic, end-to-end thriller. The errors have sparked fury and renewed the intense debate surrounding the use of video technology in England's top flight.
Two Penalties Overturned in Controversial Calls
The first major incident occurred in the first half when United's winger, Antony, appeared to blatantly bring down Chelsea's Marc Cucurella inside the penalty area. Despite the clear contact, on-field referee Jarred Gillett waved play on, and in a baffling decision, VAR official Andy Madley did not intervene to recommend a review.
The controversy deepened later in the match. United defender Harry Maguire was involved in a second penalty shout after the ball clearly struck his arm from a close-range shot. While the proximity was a factor, the defender's arm was deemed to be in an unnatural position, yet again, no penalty was given after a swift VAR check.
PGMOL's Humiliating Apology
In a rare move, PGMOL chief Howard Webb is reported to have contacted Chelsea officials after the match to personally acknowledge the mistakes. This public mea culpa offers little consolation to a Chelsea side that fought back from a two-goal deficit, only to be ultimately defeated by a winner deep into added time.
These blunders represent yet another low point for VAR in the Premier League, which has been consistently criticised for its implementation and the perceived incompetence of its officials. Fans and pundits alike are now demanding a complete overhaul of the system, arguing that it is failing in its primary objective to eliminate clear and obvious errors.
The fallout from this match is sure to intensify the pressure on Howard Webb and the PGMOL to deliver immediate and significant improvements, as the integrity of the competition continues to be called into question.
