Liverpool have taken the unprecedented step of releasing a statement about a decision in a match and accused the PGMOL of undermining sporting integrity.
The Anfield club remain enraged about Luis Diaz’s goal being cancelled out in the first half of Saturday’s agonising 2-1 defeat at Tottenham and are considering all their options. It is too early to say whether that includes pursuing legal matters.
There is also a feeling of anger within Liverpool that VAR Darren England’s role in the process that led to Diaz’s strike being deemed to be offside so swiftly and publicly, referring to it as being “unacceptable”.
Liverpool’s issue is not around the decision, more how the laws were not applied – and how the obvious correct outcome was to have been achieved – due to a calamitous failure of VAR protocols.
Posting the statement last night, they said: ‘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.
PGMOL has acknowledged that Luis Diaz’s goal against Tottenham was incorrectly ruled out
Diaz thought that he had fired home to put Liverpool ahead only to see the flag raised
‘We fully accept the pressures that match officials work under but these pressures are supposed to be alleviated, not exacerbated, by the existence and implementation of VAR.
‘It is therefore unsatisfactory that sufficient time was not afforded to allow the correct decision to be made and that there was no subsequent intervention.
‘That such failings have already been categorised as “significant human error” is also unacceptable. Any and all outcomes should be established only by the review and with full transparency.’
The goal was ruled out despite replays clearing showing Diaz was being played onside
beIN Sports drew their own lines on their broadcast to show how the goal should have stood
The statement continued: ‘This is vital for the reliability of future decision making as it applies to all clubs with learnings being used to make improvements to processes in order to ensure this kind of situation cannot occur again.
‘In the meantime, we will explore the range of options available, given the clear need for escalation and resolution.’
Spurs eventually won the game when Joel Matip scored an own goal deep into stoppage time
This is the latest in a long line of refereeing issues that Liverpool have experienced over the last two years, dating back to a game at the Tottenham Stadium when Paul Tierney, the official in charge that day, failed to send off Harry Kane and never awarded a clear penalty when Diogo Jota was fouled.
Jurgen Klopp, who has served touchline bans in the last 12 months for clashes with fourth officials, said on Saturday that an apology from the PGMOL made no difference as it would not change the result of the contest.
