The one word that reveals VAR scandal that you may be missing

The PGMOL has released extremely concerning audio that reveals the incompetency that exists within the ranks of the referees that currently officiate Premier League matches.

Incriminating audio reveals Premier League referees incompetency

When Diaz scored, in real time it seemed as though VAR had not used lines to come to their conclusion that the Colombian was offside.

However, it was later revealed that it was a communication error between the officials responsible for reaching the correct decision.

The audio that has been released by the PGMOL, which was first sent to Liverpool, fully reveals the incompetency of the referees in the Premier League currently.

The first sign that something had gone wrong is the most concerning aspect of this debacle.

Video assistant referee Darren England said: "Check complete, check complete. That's fine, perfect."

This should have resulted in Liverpool being awarded a legal goal, continuing Mohamed Salah's streak of scoring or assisting in 13 Premier League games and handing a 10-men side the lea

Then, a voice which is not identified by the subtitles that accompany the rest of the audio on the video, says: "Off."

The whistle is then blown and on-field referee Simon Hooper continues with a free kick to Tottenham for offside.

Immediately, the replay operator, the only person involved in the process that doesn't have any responsibility in determining the outcome of a VAR review, noticed that there was an issue.

This happened before any of the VAR team picked up an issue, saying: "

What should happen next with VAR and the trend of high-profile errors?

The 2023/24 Premier League season has been plagued by awful calls from referees and VAR.

This has seen many online question what direction the Premier League's approach to officiating its game should take.

Should VAR be suspended until issues are sorted? Should referees be held accountable? Should more technology be used? Should VAR protocol and rules be altered? Should clubs be able to call for reviews on key decisions like in cricket?

There are a host of questions swirling around social media and my unfortunate belief is that there isn't a singular answer to the lack of consistency and integrity in Premier League refereeing.

It's so bad now that conspiracy theories are making their way into conversations between supporters. Issues are so regular and damaging that many fans are now convinced there is a malicious reason for the lack of consistency in Premier League refereeing decisions.

For the time being, VAR needs to come under more scrutiny and clubs need to report each decision they felt lacked the required accuracy and due diligence.

Clubs in this football league operate on fine margins on budgets of hundreds of millions of pounds.

These financial consequences are also a huge factor that come into play when top of the table clashes and relegation battles are affected by poor decisions.

Whether or not reform is on its way, the Premier League, the FA and the PGMOL know full well that its fanbase, its lifeblood, is watching very carefully.