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'Disgrace', 'Awful' - Liverpool fans react as Howard Webb reveals new details on Luis Diaz controversy
Liverpool fans have reacted to Howard Webb’s comments after he weighed in on the controversy which saw Luis Diaz’s goal wrongly disallowed against Tottenham last month (30 September).
The match was goalless when Diaz struck in the first half, but VAR wrongly stuck with the on-field decision of offside and play was allowed to continue with a Spurs free kick.
Ange Postecoglou’s side went on to beat nine-man Liverpool 2-1, leading manager Jurgen Klopp to ask for a replay of the game.
PGMOL boss Webb, speaking on the Premier League’s Match Officials Mic’d Up show, lifted the lid on the controversy on Tuesday (10 October).
He said the incident happened because of “pretty significant human error” and a “loss of concentration” by VAR official Darren England, who failed to recognise that the on-field decision was offside.
The ex-Premier League referee also stated: “When the penny dropped as to what had happened, I think 20 seconds had passed. And at that point, they considered whether or not they could intervene to stop the game.”
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Webb, who was being questioned by ex-Liverpool striker Michael Owen on the incident, went on to confirm that the Laws of the Game set by FIFA do not allow officials to stop the game after it has been resumed.
But some Liverpool fans were left dissatisfied with the explanation and took to X to voice their frustration.
One supporter claimed Webb needs to be put under more pressure by Owen in future.
That was awful
— JFT97 (@RedAlert1963) October 11, 2023
When doing a show with Webb he needs to be put under pressure with a strong presenter asking him difficult questions & not letting him move on until he’s answered
That was embarrassing for the PGMOL & Sky
It was like watching Johnson being interviewed by Kusenberg
Meanwhile, another Liverpool fan claimed there was a “clear agenda” against his side during the Spurs match – and also insisted the Reds have had other decisions go against them this season.
Clear agenda against us that day. The referee had no interest in refereeing the game properly and him and the VAR team set out to help Spurs from minute one. 5 of our 8 games have had decisions that have helped the other team. We should be unbeaten on 24 points now.
— John McMahon (@JohnMcMah0n) October 10, 2023
Another supporter was baffled at how the VAR officials misunderstood the on-field decision after Diaz had opened the scoring.
I want to know why he wasn’t asked how VAR thought a goal had been given!
— 𝔾𝕎🖍️ (@Midjourneygw) October 10, 2023
What were they doing cos they can’t have been watching the game. We all saw flag raised and Diaz not celebrate.
They are paid to be studying the game. Disgrace
But one fan was more understanding of Webb’s explanation, understanding that the rules were correctly applied following the mistake.
I’m an LFC fan. For all those backing Paul Merson’s ‘common sense’ approach: if the ref acts outside the law, stops the game & brings it back, Spurs then have a legitimate grievance. Their complaint will be upheld & more chaos ensues. Refs enforce the laws, not make up their own.
— Vinny Tomlinson 🇯🇲 ✊🏾 ⚽️ (@vinny_tomlinson) October 10, 2023
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