The Premier League has issued a detailed explanation after Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officials overruled on-field decisions twice during Sunday's match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage.
Double Intervention Sparks Controversy
In a highly unusual turn of events, the match officials saw two of their offside calls overturned by the VAR team based at Stockley Park. The first incident occurred in the first half when Fulham's Harry Wilson found the net, only for the assistant referee's flag to be raised. After a review, VAR determined Wilson was onside from Raul Jimenez's pass, and the goal was awarded, putting the home side 1-0 up.
The second, and arguably more dramatic, intervention came in the second half. Liverpool's German forward, Florian Wirtz, thought he had equalised after finishing from a Conor Bradley pass, but again the offside flag was raised. Wirtz himself did not protest the decision, and it appeared Liverpool would be denied a second time, following an earlier disallowed effort from Cody Gakpo.
Premier League's Official Statement
Following a lengthy delay, the VAR check concluded that Wirtz was, in fact, in a legal position. The Premier League's match centre released a statement clarifying the decision: "VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal – and established that Wirtz was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded."
This mirrored the language used to explain Wilson's earlier goal, with the league stating: "VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal – and established that Wilson was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded." The final score at Craven Cottage ended 1-1.
Implications for the Premier League
Two VAR overrules in a single match is a rare occurrence and is sure to reignite debate about the technology's use in the English top flight. While the system worked as intended to correct clear errors, the delays and initial confusion highlight the ongoing challenge of integrating technology seamlessly into the flow of the game.
The incidents at Craven Cottage on Sunday, 4 January 2026, serve as a stark reminder of how pivotal marginal offside decisions can be. They also demonstrate the Premier League's continued reliance on VAR for key match-changing moments, ensuring factual accuracy even at the cost of immediate on-field certainty.
