The use of VAR has come under increased scrutiny in the Premier League, and an ex-referee has said that there have been times when he has refrained from making a key decision out of concern for his friend.
Even though the Premier League season has only been going for two weeks, there have already been numerous disputes regarding refereeing, both on the field and with the aid of VAR.
One such incident included Liverpool, of course, when Alexis Mac Allister was dismissed against Bournemouth and head VAR Paul Tierney did not step in.
The three-game suspension was later overturned, as it should have been, but it once again forced the the highest refereeing standards in England to the fore.
On March 12, 2022, in BRIGHTON AND HOVE, England: During the FA Premier League game between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the American Express Community Stadium, Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Robert Sánchez discusses with referee Mike Dean. Liverpool triumphed by a score of 2-0. (Propaganda image by David Rawcliffe)
And now, former referee Mike Dean has revealed a situation in which, while using VAR, he failed to advise on-field referee Anthony Taylor to take a red card offense into consideration.
The incident in question occurred when Marc Cucurella’s hair was tugged by Tottenham’s Cristian Romero during a 2-2 draw with Chelsea last August.
“If I had the chance to do it over again, what would I do? To send Dean said on Up Front with Simon Jordan, “Anthony [Taylor] to the screen.
“I believe I was aware if I had sent him to the screen… He’s warned both managers, had a terrible game, and it was so difficult from beginning to end.
“I just didn’t want to send you to the screen after what has happened in the game,” I told Anthony afterward.
He is a friend as well as a referee, so I didn’t want to send him up. I also didn’t want to give him any more trouble than he already had, I believe.
The sentiments are sincere, but they are also alarming because it would be unfair to imply that Dean is the only one who has applied that line of reasoning when choosing the best course of action.
What’s to say Tierney didn’t have the same thoughts as Thomas Bramall last weekend at Anfield? Howard Webb, the head referee, discovers a can of worms.
Additionally, it strengthens the case that VAR should be run by a separate staff in order to prevent interpersonal dynamics from influencing judgment calls.
