Referees' Performances | 2025/26

[Paladin]

So why was VAR allowed to re-referee that abomination of a goal in the Derby?

It didn't. The on field decision was goal, and VAR didn't intervene to overturn that decision. Wasn't it the City favouring Oliver on VAR that day too?

 

[Paladin]

I’d rather Van Dijk’s goal stood, but it wasn’t a clear and obvious error to deny him | Chris Foy

While it was a highly subjective call, VAR is not there to re-referee decisions like the offside against Andy Robertson

www.theguardian.com

A surprisingly clear explanation from one of the worst referees ever

A good explanation from Foy. The delay of 13 second is interesting, and there was time for a conversation between referee and linesman before the flag went up. Nobody knows what was said though, indeed if anything.

I know from personal experience as a referee though, that you have to make a choice when some decisions are debatable. These close calls tend to mainly favour one of the two teams - the team that is honest, isn't trying to hoodwink you all the time, doesn't give constant dissent, shows respect.

It could just be that Liverpool FC are reaping the fruits of their labour.

 

[jrb]

VVD and LFC busted.

Premier League referees' chief Howard Webb says it was "not unreasonable" for Virgil van Dijk's goal to be disallowed for offside against Manchester City on Sunday.

Man City vs Liverpool: Disallowed Virgil van Dijk goal backed by Howard Webb

Howard Webb insists it was "not unreasonable" for Virgil van Dijk's goal to be disallowed for offside against Manchester City

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Manc Born & Bred]

VVD and LFC busted.

Premier League referees' chief Howard Webb says it was "not unreasonable" for Virgil van Dijk's goal to be disallowed for offside against Manchester City on Sunday.

Man City vs Liverpool: Disallowed Virgil van Dijk goal backed by Howard Webb

Howard Webb insists it was "not unreasonable" for Virgil van Dijk's goal to be disallowed for offside against Manchester City

www.bbc.co.uk

So basically Webb is politely telling the rats to fuck off isn’t he?

 

[Xhavenjoe]

The ref/VAR mic up is on Sky Sports now of the Robertson off side decision

 

[TinFoilHat]

So basically Webb is politely telling the rats to fuck off isn’t he?

Slur Phalix will be chuckling at his greatest signing saying that.

 

[MeatnSpudsMCFC]

Thought it was quite reasonable what Webb said. Only Donnarumma knows if Robertson standing there has stopped him from diving.

Once again, football pundits orchestrate a pile-on because they can't be bothered to look at the rules or apply logic.

 

[Paladin]

The fact that the ball is going straight towards Robertson creates uncertainty in Donnarumma's mind. Robertson has two choices - play the ball, or duck out of the way. Donnarumma can't choose where to attempt his save until after Robertson has made his decision. Therefore his position does impact the goalkeeper's decision.

 

[CityfaninGeorgia]

Anyone notice Robertson didn't celebrate the goal like all of his teammates, just walked away looking very guilty of something

 

[cheekybids]

VVD and LFC busted.

Premier League referees' chief Howard Webb says it was "not unreasonable" for Virgil van Dijk's goal to be disallowed for offside against Manchester City on Sunday.

Man City vs Liverpool: Disallowed Virgil van Dijk goal backed by Howard Webb

Howard Webb insists it was "not unreasonable" for Virgil van Dijk's goal to be disallowed for offside against Manchester City

www.bbc.co.uk

I don’t understand why he didn’t mention Robertson had just grappled with GD.

 

[Blue Hefner]

Thought it was quite reasonable what Webb said. Only Donnarumma knows if Robertson standing there has stopped him from diving.

Once again, football pundits orchestrate a pile-on because they can't be bothered to look at the rules or apply logic.

Dermot Gallgher was on Sky trying to explain the decision and process to Jay Bothroyd. Jesus Christ, it was like trying to explain it to something out of the zoo! It’s not often I feel sorry for refs or ex-refs but this was an exception

It reminded me of the saying “I can explain it to you but I can’t understand for you”!

 

[the blue panther]

Jay Bothroyd, heh! A footballing titan. Almost as erudite as your average fan.

 

[Axel Freed]

Another terrible performance letting them get away with foul after foul unpunished.

When he went to the monitor to review the most obvious penalty you’ll ever fucking see, the **** was so upset at realising that the video backed up what everyone in the ground had seen with their own eyes that he could barely speak to inform the crowd of his change of mind.

 

[MillionMilesAway]

Dermot Gallgher was on Sky trying to explain the decision and process to Jay Bothroyd. Jesus Christ, it was like trying to explain it to something out of the zoo! It’s not often I feel sorry for refs or ex-refs but this was an exception

It reminded me of the saying “I can explain it to you but I can’t understand for you”!

That was excruciating as Boothroyd failed to listen/understand.

 

[lasereyes]

It didn't. The on field decision was goal, and VAR didn't intervene to overturn that decision. Wasn't it the City favouring Oliver on VAR that day too?

No it was Tierney. Yes the same guy who refused to send off Milner after 3 (arguably 4) yellow card offences at Anfield

 

[Paladin]

No it was Tierney. Yes the same guy who refused to send off Milner after 3 (arguably 4) yellow card offences at Anfield

Attwell was referee, Cann was linesman, Oliver was the VAR for the Rashford offside goal.

The VAR Review: Unpacking Marcus Rashford's offside in Manchester derby

A look at the big VAR rulings in the Premier League, with the controversial decision not to give Marcus Rashford offside the headline.

www.espn.co.uk

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Credit should go to the lino.
If he hadn’t flagged for offside (albeit late) the goal would have stood.
Buy that man a beer if you see him.

I've not watched anything since being in SS3 but, from recollection he took forever to lift his flag in fact, maybe it was the pressure of half our team screaming at him made him raise it.

 

[mancboy]

The fact that the ball is going straight towards Robertson creates uncertainty in Donnarumma's mind. Robertson has two choices - play the ball, or duck out of the way. Donnarumma can't choose where to attempt his save until after Robertson has made his decision. Therefore his position does impact the goalkeeper's decision.

this and only this, people are willfully ignoring this, if robertson isnt there then donna can shift his feet across and his weight to the correct side, the fact that he is means he has to hedge his bets as he simply doesnt know if robertson is going to divert the ball and that alone makes him interfering with play.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

this and only this, people are willfully ignoring this, if robertson isnt there then donna can shift his feet across and his weight to the correct side, the fact that he is means he has to hedge his bets as he simply doesnt know if robertson is going to divert the ball and that alone makes him interfering with play.

Same as Ederson and Rashford.

 

[cheekybids]

this and only this, people are willfully ignoring this, if robertson isnt there then donna can shift his feet across and his weight to the correct side, the fact that he is means he has to hedge his bets as he simply doesnt know if robertson is going to divert the ball and that alone makes him interfering with play.

There is 2 seconds from Robertson pushing GD & the ball hitting the back of the net. Incredible that Doku was able to play him offside from this position. It’s pure gas lighting by the Liverpool Lobby.