Virgil van Dijk’s canceled goal in Sunday’s match between Liverpool and Manchester City has been hotly debated online, PGMOL boss Howard Webb has said.
Subjectivity seems to be a dangerous word when it comes to referee decisions. The Oxford Dictionary lists its meaning as “based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.”
So it’s all a matter of opinion. And, in my words, opinions differ as to whether Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk’s ‘goal’ against Manchester City on Sunday should have counted. For what it’s worth, I was really torn. While watching the match, my immediate reaction was that it would be chalked out as Andy Robertson was standing so close to City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
It was an on-field decision and not an obvious mistake, so it couldn’t be reversed. Isn’t that what people are saying every week: shouldn’t VAR be involved?Until it affects the team, of course they certainly will. Then they want them to intervene.
Overall, I think it was the right decision, but that’s the crux of the word “subjective.” Not every decision is black and white. It never was, and it isn’t now.
read more: Howard Webb’s explanation leaves fans furious – the real reason why Liverpool’s goal was disallowedread more: Liverpool receive new ‘clear’ verdict after being contacted by PGMOL over Virgil van Dijk decision
A certain degree of subjectivity is required. That’s why PGMO Director Howard Webb’s show, “Match Officials Mic’d Up,” is an invaluable resource and a good idea, despite some concerns and shortcomings.
It’s worth noting that Webb spoke to Liverpool on Monday morning, explaining, communicating and making it clear he was open. Webb was in regular contact with the club, and there is a little anecdote that he called the manager after a game to discuss a bad decision before club officials got into their cars.
There is no doubt that everyone wants to improve refereeing standards. Everyone strives for 100 percent perfection, and the idea that putting on a show like that is a bad thing is crazy.
Just as he did with Liverpool, Webb ensures that each decision is discussed with the clubs involved before the show is aired, and he strives to ensure that it never becomes known on Mic’D Up.
Yes, it’s good to have transparency and openness. Personally, I would like to see a different presenter than Michael Owen, as it is unlikely that a former professional will be Jeremy Paxman.
My reaction was why didn’t he ask about Liverpool’s response and the idea that they had contacted PGMOL? That’s the journalist in me. But Mic’D Up’s idea is to explain the decision rather than participate in the discussion here.
Consistency and clarity are absolutely necessary. But is it possible for two decisions to be exactly the same? I’m not sure. Even in that Wolves game, he was different from Van Dijk. That’s really true.
There is a photo of Andy Robertson fleeing on Sunday, in which he appears to say, “Is it me?” Perhaps he knows he didn’t escape quickly enough, or at least fears the worst.
This is a far cry from Luis Diaz’s decision when Liverpool had every right to be furious. But this time it’s really subjective.
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