PGMOL Owe Liverpool Another Apology For Latest VAR Mishap As IFAB Rules Clarified

On multiple occasions, the decision-making consistency of the referees in the Premier League has been brought into question. This season, Liverpool have had several major complaints over key decisions by match officials.

This weekend, Brighton midfielder Pascal Groß was at the centre of a controversy regarding a match incident that, as per IFAB rules, should have resulted in a sending-off.

The incident in question is a clear scenario in violation of the Laws of the Game as stipulated by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and raises questions about the decision-making process of referees and the use of VAR in the Premier League.

According to the IFAB rule: "Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball.

"In all other circumstances (e.g. holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.), the offending player must be sent off."

Groß' foul on Dominik Szoboszlai was a clear instance where he denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by dragging him to the ground as the Hungarian was about to play the ball in front of the goalkeeper.

This is a puzzling inconsistency, as Liverpool's own Virgil van Dijk was sent off for a foul on Alexander Isak outside the box, even though van Dijk was making an attempt to win the ball.

According to the codes of the game, Groß' offence was much more dire and should have been shown a red card.

Yet, the decision was otherwise - a questionable inconsistency that raises eyebrows.

Not the first time Liverpool have been slighted by officials

This is not the first time the PGMOL has been at the center of a controversy related to Liverpool this season.

The VAR scandal, where Liverpool was not awarded a goal when Luis Diaz scored against Spurs, resulted in an outcry, adding to an increasing narrative that some official decisions are unfairly biased.

Despite such inconsistencies Jurgen Klopp refused to be drawn into the controversy. When asked about it, he responded, "I’m over it. I’m too old for that."

His nonchalant attitude paints an unflattering picture of the state of referee decisions and VAR's implementation in the Premier League.

The denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity, as was the case with Groß' offense, demands scrutiny over decision-making protocols and consistent application of the IFAB rules.

It is high time for the PGMOL to reassess their standards to ensure fair play and competitive balance within the league.

Strict adherence to the Laws of the Game is crucial not just for its spirit but also to maintain its integrity and repute.