The Premier League has released an audio recording of the controversial ruling in which Virgil van Dijk’s header was choked out during Liverpool’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City. The strike almost equalized the scores at the Etihad Stadium, but the authorities ruled that Andy Robertson had interfered with Gianluigi Donnarumma’s play while in an offside position.
Robertson got under the ball before it reached the bottom corner and was able to score from a well-placed corner kick by Van Dijk. Thirteen seconds after the ball crossed the line, the assistant referee’s flag was raised and the goal was ruled out. Following VAR intervention, the authorities determined that the Scottish defender had made a “direct and obvious movement” in front of the Italian goalkeeper.
Liverpool’s captain condemned the incident and the club lodged a formal complaint with PGMOL, expressing serious concerns as to why the strike was disallowed.
On Tuesday, PGMOL referee Howard Webb upheld the on-field decision, which was reviewed and confirmed by VAR officials Michael Oliver and Tim Wood.
Footage of the goal was shown during the Match Officials Mic-Up program featuring former Liverpool forward Michael Owen, along with an audio exchange between the Stockley Park linesman, referee Chris Kavanagh and the VAR team. “Certainly Michael, a big decision in a big game,” Webb declared.
“As the ball moved toward Robertson, in the middle of the six-yard box, three yards from the goal, he made a clear action by ducking under the ball. The ball passed over his head and found the goal in his half of the six-yard box.”
“The referee has to make a decision, but did that specific action affect the goalkeeper and his ability to save the ball? That’s where the subjectivity comes in.
“They saw the act very close to the goalkeeper and formed that opinion.
“I know that’s not a view held by everyone, but it’s not unreasonable to see why (the officials) would come to that conclusion when the player is so close to the goalkeeper, the ball is coming towards the goalkeeper, and he has to duck to avoid getting in the way.
“They have concluded that it will affect Donnarumma’s ability to dive for the ball and make saves.
“Once they make a decision on the field, VAR’s job is to look at it and decide whether the result was clearly and clearly wrong.
“Only Donnarumma will really know if he was affected by this, and we need to look at the factual evidence.”
Audio footage was released by the Premier League on Tuesday. The full transcript is below.
Assistant referee: “Robertson is in sight, right in front of the keeper. He’s under the ball. He’s very, very close. I think he’s in sight. I think he (Donnarumma) is in shock.”
Referee (Chris Kavanagh): “Okay, then it’s offside.”
Assistant referee: “I think it’s offside.”
Referee: “The on-field decision was offside.”
VAR (Michael Oliver): “Checking the on-field decision for offside against Andy Robertson. Delay, delay… so it’s clear where it was offside.”
AVAR (Tim Wood): “I agree with the call on the field. I think it was offside. It’s clearly a clear act that affects the goalkeeper.”
VAR: “Chris, this is Michael. We are confirming the on-field decision for offside against Andy Robertson. He is in an offside position, very close to the goalkeeper, with clear movement in front of him. Check completed, offside.”
