Analyzing VAR Decisions in the Premier League: A Case Study

The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology has sparked controversy each week in the Premier League. This season, we are scrutinizing key incidents to clarify how decisions are reached and whether they align with established protocols and the Laws of the Game.

Andy Davies, a former Select Group referee with over 12 seasons of experience officiating in both the Premier League and Championship, brings a wealth of knowledge to this discussion. Having worked within the VAR framework during his tenure in the Premier League, Davies provides a valuable perspective on the rationale and procedures involved in officiating a match.

In a recent match, Referee Farai Hallam was supported by VAR Darren England during an incident that occurred 37 minutes into the game, involving a potential handball by Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera. The situation unfolded when Manchester City attacker Omar Marmoush attempted to maneuver past the defender, resulting in the ball striking Mosquera’s outstretched arm. Despite this, Referee Hallam chose to allow play to continue.

Upon reviewing the incident, VAR Darren England conducted an extensive check and concluded that Mosquera’s left arm was positioned unnaturally. He recommended that Hallam review the play on the pitch for a potential penalty due to handball. This marked Hallam’s Premier League debut, and after consulting the monitor, he upheld his initial judgment that no handball offense had occurred.

This decision was particularly noteworthy as it is uncommon for a referee to reaffirm their own ruling following a VAR review. Hallam’s choice to maintain his original call on such a significant occasion demonstrates a commendable level of confidence and conviction.

The debate surrounding this incident primarily revolves around whether the correct decision was made. In my assessment, the intervention by VAR was warranted. The visual evidence indicates that Mosquera’s arm was indeed positioned unnaturally at the moment of contact with the ball.

Initially, the defender’s arm was in a natural position; however, when Marmoush redirected the ball, Mosquera’s arm moved outward and away from his body, becoming fully extended.

According to the laws governing handball offenses, a player is deemed to have made their body unnaturally larger when the position of their arm is not justifiable by their movement in that context. By positioning his arm in such a manner, the player risks being penalized if the ball makes contact.

While there has been considerable discussion regarding Hallam’s courageous decision to maintain his initial call on his debut, the critical factor remains that the refereeing team ultimately reached an incorrect conclusion. Based on current guidelines and interpretations, this incident constituted a clear handball offense, warranting a penalty award.