Move comes after PGMOL admitted that VAR had made notable errors during the game
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has moved to address its errors by removing official Michael Salisbury from VAR duties for Liverpool’s game against Arsenal.
Salisbury worked as VAR at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, but the PGMOL later admitted that he had made an error in the match. Salisbury had advised referee Rob Jones to disallow Josh King’s first-half goal. The decision was based on a foul by Rodrigo Muniz on Trevoh Chalobah in the buildup.
PGMOL said the goal should have stood, describing the intervention as inconsistent with the high bar set for VAR, which should only be for clear and obvious errors.
Salisbury, who was due to serve as VAR in Sunday’s match at Anfield, was then replaced by John Brooks.
Howard Webb, chief of PGMOL, has contacted Fulham to acknowledge the mistake. The club had been left angered by the call, with head coach Marco Silva labelling it “unbelievable” in his post-match interview.
Fulham’s frustration grew when another VAR check led to a Chelsea penalty after a lengthy delay. Ryan Sessegnon was penalised for handball, though replays also showed possible infringements by Pedro in the same passage of play. Enzo Fernandez converted the spot-kick to put Chelsea two goals ahead.
Silva expressed his dissatisfaction throughout, sarcastically laughing at the officials’ decisions from the touchline. Fulham left Stamford Bridge with their first defeat of the season, while Chelsea maintained their perfect start under Enzo Maresca.
