Key Takeaways
- The delay in ruling out a Manchester City goal for offside in the Carabao Cup win at Newcastle was due to the inability to use semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) in the incident.
- The check took over five minutes to determine that Erling Haaland was offside and had interfered with play.
- SAOT cannot be used in "edge cases" where there are multiple bodies in the box, requiring officials to revert to the old system of drawing crosshairs.
- Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola criticized the inconsistencies around VAR after the match, questioning the delay in the offside check and the non-award of two penalties in a previous match.
Introduction to the Incident
The Carabao Cup match between Manchester City and Newcastle on Tuesday was marked by a significant delay in ruling out a Manchester City goal for offside. The incident occurred when Erling Haaland was deemed to be offside and interfering with play, resulting in the disallowance of what would have been a second goal for Antoine Semenyo. The delay in making this decision was notable, taking over five minutes to complete. According to the Press Association, the check would have been significantly quicker if semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) had been available. However, the number of bodies in the box at the time of the incident meant that SAOT could not be used, and officials had to revert to the old system of drawing crosshairs.
Semi-Automated Offside Technology
SAOT is a technology designed to improve the accuracy and speed of offside decisions. However, it is not foolproof and has its limitations. In "edge cases" where there are multiple bodies in the box, SAOT cannot be used, and officials must rely on the old system. This was the case in the incident involving Haaland, where the number of bodies in the box made it impossible to use SAOT. The Premier League website refers to such incidents as "edge cases," highlighting the challenges of implementing technology in complex and dynamic situations. The limitations of SAOT underscore the need for continued investment and development in refereeing technology to improve the accuracy and efficiency of decision-making.
Pep Guardiola’s Criticism
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was critical of the VAR system after the match, citing inconsistencies in the application of the technology. He questioned the delay in the offside check and also referenced a previous match where Newcastle’s winner against City was only confirmed after a lengthy offside check. Guardiola also felt that City had been denied two penalties in that match, one for a handball and one for a foul on Phil Foden. The Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel, which reviews such decisions, agreed with Guardiola that a penalty should have been awarded for the challenge on Foden. Guardiola’s criticism highlights the ongoing debate about the effectiveness and consistency of VAR in the Premier League.
Aftermath and Response
Following the match, Guardiola stated that Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer at Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), would contact him for an "explanation" regarding the Haaland goal. However, there was no immediate word from either PGMOL or City regarding any contact. Webb has proactively contacted clubs in the past where clear errors have been made, but it appears that this is not the case in this incident. The lack of communication or explanation from PGMOL or City suggests that the incident may not be considered a clear error, and the decision to disallow the goal was made in accordance with the rules and protocols in place.
Conclusion and Implications
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges and limitations of VAR in the Premier League. While technology has improved the accuracy of decision-making, it is not yet perfect, and there are still instances where human judgment and interpretation are required. The inability to use SAOT in "edge cases" underscores the need for continued investment and development in refereeing technology. The debate about VAR is likely to continue, with managers, players, and fans seeking greater consistency and transparency in decision-making. Ultimately, the effective implementation of VAR requires a combination of technology, training, and clear communication to ensure that the rules of the game are applied fairly and consistently.
