Apex Scores Lite Apex Scores Lite flag
back Back
Ex-Premier League Referee Casts Strong VAR Verdict After Alexander Isak Penalty Call
REUTERS/Phil Noble

Lee is a Senior Editor and Content Strategist at GiveMeSport with more than 20 years' experience in the media industry, previously working on the Mirror and football.london.
Lee graduated from Southampton Solent University in 2005 with a journalism degree before starting out as a news reporter on his loacl paper in Kent.
He has worked his way up from news reporter to sports reporter and then editor through excellent writing, great communication and an effective team leadership style.

Sign in to your GiveMeSport account

Former Premier League referee Graham Barber has told GIVEMESPORT that VAR got it wrong with a major decision during the big Liverpool vs Arsenal clash in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal took all three points away from Anfield for the first time in 14 years thanks to a Kai Havertz winner in the first half, but things could have been very different if Liverpool had been awarded a penalty.

On 21 minutes, Bradley Barcola delivered a ball into the Arsenal box, aimed for Isak, who rose to head it home, but missed it in the air.

Replays showed that Jurrien Timber had hold of the Swedish striker's shirt, pulling him back, which could have impacted his ability to meet the cross.

Referee Andy Madley did not spot the incident and VAR checked it and decided that there was no foul and that play should continue.

In the Sky Sports studio, Jamie Carrgaher, Daniel Sturridge all agreed that a mistake was made.

One of the best goalscorers in the league is pulled back seven yards out and it stops him heading the ball - why does he need to make a meal of it? VAR do your job - Carragher on Sky Sports

And now, speaking exclusively to GMS, former top flight referee Barber agreed with the panel.

He said: "It's a really strange one because first of all we've seen a couple this weekend where people haven't appealed for penalties, which doesn't seem to be the norm these days and also the other thing that's really interesting in the game is shirt pulling in general, because nobody seems to know whether it's a shirt pull or not. In my day, if you pulled a shirt, it was a yellow card, so it was quite simple.

"Look, I thought it was a penalty and I was very surprised that Isak didn't make anything of it, because in my opinion, the shirt pull probably stopped him reaching the ball to head it.

Premier League Era Before or After

Did it happen before or after?

Round 1 of 9

"You know I've always been an advocate of referees making decisions on the field of play, but when it's wrong, that's what VAR is for in my opinion and and I think Jamie's right, I think Ian Wright's correct in what he says in that players shouldn't have to make a meal of everything in order to get a decision.

"It was a clear shirt pull, and I would be amazed if the referee saw that on the field of play and didn't give a penalty and, equally, I'm not really sure why VAR didn't think that was a shirt pulling offence and why they didn't give a penalty."

You may like

Man Utd 'Will Pull The Trigger On Carrick' After Chelsea Loss As Guardiola Claim Made

givemesport.com 2 days ago

Ex-PGMOL Chief Blasts Liverpool vs Arsenal Referee For One Massive Error He Made

givemesport.com 1 day ago

Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal plot double deal; Man Utd scout Bellingham; Chelsea, Liverpool latest

standard.co.uk 23 minutes ago

Man Utd cut manager shortlist down to two and go all out for £37.5m left-back

teamtalk.com 9 hours ago

The 15 players with most Premier League red cards ever - top three are no shock

express.co.uk 2 days ago

Lionel Messi benefits from MLS rule that doesn't exist in any other league

sportbible.com 1 day ago

Arsenal signing sends emotional farewell message before 'landmark' transfer

standard.co.uk 11 hours ago

Manchester United given 'perfect' Lisandro Martinez red card verdict as appeal proposed

standard.co.uk 19 hours ago

Chelsea prepare new deal for rising star after Barca and Man United transfer speculation

caughtoffside.com 40 minutes ago