Arsenal were denied a penalty in their Premier League match against Hull City on Saturday after what has been described as a “very controversial VAR intervention”.
The Gunners, who dominated much of the first half at the Emirates Stadium, believed they had a chance to score from 12 yards when Kai Havertz went down in the penalty area under a challenge from Hull defender Nobel Mendy.
VAR review and initial decision
Play continued but the incident was reviewed by VAR for several minutes before referee Farai Hallam was advised to pause the game and consult the pitchside monitor. The VAR told Hallam that Havertz was fouled by Mendy, who had a clear hold of the striker's jersey, but that Havertz was offside at the time, so the foul could not be awarded.
When announcing the decision to the Emirates Stadium crowd, the referee first spoke of the foul by the Hull centre-back, leading the home fans to cheer in anticipation of a penalty. Their joy turned to disappointment when Hallam explained that Hull were instead being awarded a free kick because Havertz was offside.
Premier League statement and reaction
A statement from the Premier League read: “VAR recommended an on-field review for a potential penalty to Arsenal for a challenge by Mendy on Havertz - but determined that Havertz was in an offside position in the build-up.”
The decision sparked outrage among Arsenal players and on the home bench, with Mikel Arteta having stern words with the fourth official as the interval approached. Both sides went in goalless after a tense opening 45 minutes.
Rules suggest a clear error
It soon emerged that the penalty should have been awarded in a clear error by VAR. BBC Sport's football issues correspondent, Dale Johnson, reported: “That is a very controversial VAR intervention at the Emirates.
“A player who is in an offside position only becomes active when they commit an offside offence.
“Kai Havertz must be 'attempting to play the ball, or challenging an opponent for the ball' - otherwise the shirt pull by Nobel Mendy takes precedence. The foul comes before any offside offence.
“Havertz did not commit an offside offence, and this should have been a spot-kick to Arsenal regardless of the offside.
“We saw this a couple of seasons ago between Newcastle and Bournemouth. Fabian Schar was just offside but pulled back as he moved to run onto a free-kick delivery. A penalty was awarded after a VAR review.”
The IFAB 'Laws of the Game' for this season states: “A player in an offside position is moving towards the ball with the intention of playing the ball and is fouled before playing or attempting to play the ball, or challenging an opponent for the ball, the foul is penalised as it has occurred before the offside offence.”
