New refs’ chief Howard Webb has summoned all officials to Stockley Park for an emergency summit after two embarrassing – and potentially crucial – VAR blunders in one day.
In a scarcely-believable cock-up revealed by Sportsmail, bungling video official Lee Mason forgot to put the right lines down to adjudge whether a Brentford player was offside in the build-up to their equaliser during Saturday’s draw with title-chasing Arsenal the Emirates.
And on a dark afternoon for the under-fire system Brighton saw a goal chalked off in a draw at rivals Crystal Palace after VAR John Brooks drew the offside line from the WRONG defender. An aghast Webb – who is understood to have reacted incredulously – may now axe the bungling pair after ordering an urgent review in which all options are on the table, according to sources.
The Yorkshire born 51-year-old, who returned to the UK last year after a stint in the US, has ordered all Premier League referees, assistant referees and VAR officials to the meeting on Tuesday. Attendance is thought to be compulsory as Webb seeks to avoid any further catastrophes.
The new chief was forced to contact the Gunners and European hopefuls Brighton to 'acknowledge significant errors in the VAR process', according to refs’ body PGMOL.
Their statement added: ‘Both incidents, which were due to human error and related to the analysis of offside situations, are being thoroughly reviewed.'
The acknowledgment came after both clubs were left incensed by the decisions, potentially holding huge ramifications for their respective ambitions this season. Mason, also 51, failed to spot that Christian Norgaard was in an offside position when he crossed for Ivan Toney to level. Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, said 'principles' of defending have to change when the rules 'change' in reference to the decision to allow the goal to stand.
Brighton, meanwhile, revealed yesterday morning that they had received an apology from the refereeing body - which they accepted. In their draw, the offside line was drawn from the wrong Palace defender by Brooks after Pervis Estupinan had scored for Roberto De Zerbi’s side. 'As was confirmed to the club by PGMOL last night, a serious error was made in disallowing Pervis Estupinan's goal at Crystal Palace yesterday afternoon,' the club said.
'The lines drawn in the VAR room to determine whether Pervis was in an offside position were drawn incorrectly, and the goal should have stood. ‘While hugely disappointed by the error, the club has accepted PGMOL's apology and will not be making any further comment.'
Brooks was due to be VAR for the Merseyside derby tonight and Arsenal v Manchester City on Wednesday night. PGMOL declined to comment on whether he would remain in post for the games.
ElenduEmmanuel
0
If Arsenal lose the PL and would have won if they had had the extra 2 points what doing snivelling apologies mean then?
fans will attack him if we loose the league title by 2 points, mark this comment.
Hoebcdikrt
0
And that Soucek turned to a goalkeeper and made a brilliant safe against Chelsea and no penalty given was not a howler?
Leave them.. It's not their fault... If not for our Mumu coach who refuse to protest to the officials on the sideline and just allow the game to go on..
malablata
0
VAR never mentioned Chelsea because the coach never complained. chuch Norris was so dormant
you're a midtable team so your complain is useless 😂😂😂😂😂
zibdnorsuy
1
VAR never mentioned Chelsea because the coach never complained. chuch Norris was so dormant
Simpler02
4
Now draw the line’s exactly and give Arsenal and Brighton their points simple
JorgeLanga
0
If Arsenal lose the PL and would have won if they had had the extra 2 points what doing snivelling apologies mean then?
Nothing!
Zumckmnsuy
0
lol but forget this ppl are good for error what is that he forgot to draw offside line
God bless you, forget to do your job perfect 🤦♂️🥲
Duoceistu
0
Nothing like Howlers.It is all deliberate act.Some of these ref deserved to be sacked. They are killing the game.
GoonerJohn
0
If Arsenal lose the PL and would have won if they had had the extra 2 points what doing snivelling apologies mean then?
Yhemy
0
And that Soucek turned to a goalkeeper and made a brilliant safe against Chelsea and no penalty given was not a howler?
Reaeknpuz
0
And the Chief Webb is Man U ref 🤣
But could never do such sully errors however much
Reaeknpuz
0
So its only Arsenal and Brighton who have had VAR issues this season? Whats so special about these two Clubs? Errors happen and that's it.
why do errors happen on Arsenal concurrently and not in any other team? and now Brighton! if not betting then those idiots are fans of some clubs
Weebdoruyz
0
We had two goals offside today ruled by var wat are u talking about u embicile
stupidity of the highest order, how can u say such a thing to someone bcus of a comment. just go out there and find your lost manner man
Lucbdenruz
0
your fucking excuses ain't enough
TheOddOne
0
So what happens after the apology and the emergency meeting are you going to compansate the affected team's or what? Because this is water under the bridge and you guys admitting your errors really makes it look like you know what you are doing cause in the end you will just apologize and move on like nothing really happened
Howard Webb already made Millions by apologizing
TheOddOne
0
best way of apologizing is to award 3 points to a team that was robbed. Rules must change before it's too late.
sad but no way to do that human error constitute to that
TheOddOne
1
Let these bungling VAR Ref maintain their position in VAR and Liverpool will lose to Everton due to another few errors that resulted in non Liverpool goals and Everton freak goals
hebbprsty
0
Chelsea not being mentioned cause the coach already gave excuse for them. What shame potter what shame
kiycmnosu
0
So what happens after the apology and the emergency meeting are you going to compansate the affected team's or what? Because this is water under the bridge and you guys admitting your errors really makes it look like you know what you are doing cause in the end you will just apologize and move on like nothing really happened
I'm sensing match fixing
Osho9ice
0
after the apology, what next?
Dublin9
1
We had two goals offside today ruled by var wat are u talking about u embicile
How dare you call someone such disgusting name cos of his comment??
Rashmood
4
To congratulate them for job well done! Corruption everywhere
AkoKat
1
Nonsense
Nadalorsz
1
you forgot you were the only side in the premier league that came back to play penalty after full time ....pls remember him
rodadrst
1
2 howlers? So Soucek's handball against Chelsea does not qualify as a howler?
Hecurium
0
we're the most victims for them
[image]
cry more
Jimekmostu
0
assuming it was man u they would have called the player to take penalty
We had two goals offside today ruled by var wat are u talking about u embicile
Nadalorsz
5
assuming it was man u they would have called the player to take penalty
Rababcmnru
1
the refs didnt talk about chelsea...
hinaknotu
1
arsenal and Brighton got robbed
shakragunners
6
we're the most victims for them
Tiwcdmsz
4
I don't trust Howard Webb
Vudbekloy
3
We need that goal to be counselled
sanbdikory
4
best way of apologizing is to award 3 points to a team that was robbed. Rules must change before it's too late.
Yidabdkprz
6
I think this VAR rules is completely against arsenal this season
Cihdeikloy
0
so how no summoning never wants down when man city was glaringly robbed in the last Derby.....let's talk about all the epl against man city.....here it is for the whole globe to see
Arabs never got robbed they stole the league.
Bonaclmruy
1
there is no reason for that we already lost two points unless u say that wasn't a goal and it was offside arsenal won the game then award arsenal 3 points
lol but forget this ppl are good for error what is that he forgot to draw offside line
zedeiory
0
so how no summoning never wants down when man city was glaringly robbed in the last Derby.....let's talk about all the epl against man city.....here it is for the whole globe to see
mopacmnopu
3
So what happens after the apology and the emergency meeting are you going to compansate the affected team's or what? Because this is water under the bridge and you guys admitting your errors really makes it look like you know what you are doing cause in the end you will just apologize and move on like nothing really happened
jaoacekms
3
there is no reason for that we already lost two points unless u say that wasn't a goal and it was offside arsenal won the game then award arsenal 3 points
Humancal44
1
There better be a farewell speech for Lee Mason in that meeting
Dramz13
6
Arsenal has lost 12 good solid points to VAR controversially this season more than any other team.
Dramz13
2
One offside line drawn from wrong defender and the other no offside line not drawn......These officials are betting and are haters of certain teams.
Nibklmptz
1
Senseless Officials
Boebcino
0
So its only Arsenal and Brighton who have had VAR issues this season? Whats so special about these two Clubs? Errors happen and that's it.
tatabcdenz
2
Epl referees are real gamblers and they are betting with football loving fans emotion, they must be punished for their inconsistence
rimbktuz
1
most of these match officials are un happy at seeing Arsenal top of the premier league. Lee Mason denied Arsenal a good goal vs Manchester united in September whilst on VAR duties. Stuart Atwell denied Arsenal a clear penalty against man city for a foul by city keeper Ederson on Emile Smith Rowe last season. He then proceeded and gave city an imaginary penalty. Lee Mason and other officials are bringing the league most consider as the best in the world into disrepute. Watch out Howard Webb.
sinbcorsy
3
VAR officials are playing a betting
ClemJay
2
VAR is seriously causing more harm than good
hussein_dakik
0
Why not put automatic VAR?
thats even worse