Audio of VAR offside Luis Diaz goal to be released but Liverpool know replay unlikely

Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP3 October 2023

Referees chiefs are set to release the audio of the botched VAR decision that cost Liverpool the opening goal in Saturday's defeat to Tottenham.

Luis Diaz's strike was incorrectly flagged offside in north London, but VAR Darren England did not correct the error on review, believing the on-field officials had awarded a goal.

Liverpool, who finished the match with nine men, went on to lose 2-1 through Joel Matip's own goal with practically the final kick.

The Reds yesterday demanded a copy of the audio as they continued to pile pressure on the referees' body, the PGMOL, and their request is expected to be granted, with insiders saying it is now a case of "when not if" the full recording is made public.

Luis Diaz’s goal was immediately flagged offside.
Getty Images

The timeline for its release remains unclear, however, because the PGMOL are also conducting an internal review into the circumstances of the error.

Releasing the audio would inevitably increase calls for spectators in the stadiums and at home to hear the officials' discussions in real-time, as has been the case in cricket and rugby union for years.

PGMOL have taken steps to be more transparent this season by introducing a new half-hour monthly show, Match Officials Mic'd Up, produced by the Premier League, allowing viewers access to some of the more controversial VAR decisions.

In a statement condemning the mistake, Liverpool said they would "explore the range of options available, given the clear need for escalation and resolution", prompting speculation that they could even push for the game to be replayed.

While the Reds were this morning ruling out nothing as they wait for PGMOL's findings, insiders have played down the possibility of a replay, believing it would "open a can of worms" over other VAR mistakes and set a dangerous precedent. Spurs would also naturally push back on the prospect of replaying the game, although there is no animosity between the clubs.

VAR England and his assistant on the day, Dan Cook, were this morning left off the list of officials for this weekend's games, announced by the Premier League, having been axed from top-flight duty in the wake of the incident. Simon Hooper, the on-field referee at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, is set to be the VAR for Everton v Bournemouth.

PGMOL's internal review into what went wrong could prompt changes with how VAR operates, ranging from a much more explicit script for officials to follow to amendments to current protocols to prevent a repeat in future.

England is understood to have told Hooper "check complete", believing Diaz's goal had been given onside, and once Spurs restarted play with a free-kick, the officials were unable to correct the call and award Liverpool the goal.

The review could also examine whether it is appropriate for officials to moonlight overseas, after it emerged that England and Cook had officiated in the UAE on Thursday, 48 hours before the blunder, on a trip which was approved by POMOL chief Howard Webb and the FA.

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