Truth behind claim VAR official was on Fantasy Premier League during Arsenal vs Liverpool
VAR had a busy afternoon during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday with it being claimed that one official was checking his Fantasy Premier League team
by Daniel Orme · The MirrorA VAR official was NOT caught checking his Fantasy Premier League score during Arsenal's clash with Liverpool.
The pair battled to a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in what was a pulsating game. Bukayo Saka had given the Gunners the lead, only for Virgil van Dijk to level matters.
Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino restored Arsenal’s advantage but Mohamed Salah's late strike ensured a share of the points. It was a busy afternoon for the VAR officials, with two interventions during the first-half alone.
But during one of the checks, after claims spread on social media, one official was accused of having his eye off the ball. That accusation came after one of the officials on an app resembling the Premier League's fantasy app.
But that was not the case. According to ESPN, the official was simply checking the Premier League Match Manager app instead of the Fantasy Premier League app, with personal devices banned from the VAR booth.
Regardless, the VAR officials still managed to get the major calls on the game spot on. Arsenal thought they were deserving of a penalty during the first-half for Ibrahima Konate’s challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.
Referee Anthony Taylor was uninterested, with the VAR concurring with his opinion upon review. A statement from the Premier League explaining the decision read: “The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge by Konate on Martinelli was checked and confirmed by VAR - deeming that Konate won the ball.”
There was also a long VAR delay after Merino’s strike. The Spaniard’s goal was checked for a potential offside but it was decided that he was marginally kept onside by Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
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The Premier League also clarified that call shortly after. A further statement read: "The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as there were no attackers in an offside position.”
They were not the only controversies at the Emirates. Arsenal thought they had won the game late on through Gabriel Jesus scored, only for the goal to be chalked off for a foul by Kai Havertz on Konate earlier in the move.
Referee Taylor had long blown up, with former official Mike Dean offering his take on the incident. He said: “It is a soft foul. It is a 50-50.”
Sunday’s dramatic draw leaves both sides still in positive positions in the title race, albeit having handed the initiative to Manchester City. Liverpool sit second and just one point behind the current leaders, while Arsenal are a further four points behind.
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