PGMOL chief Howard Webb contacts Arsenal and Brighton to acknowledge significant VAR errors

The PGMOL’s chief Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton to acknowledge and explain significant errors in the VAR process.

On Saturday, both Arsenal and Brighton were left seething after two controversial VAR decisions went against them.

For the Gunners, Brentford’s late equaliser was allowed to stand despite Christian Norgaard being clearly offside.

Whilst Brighton full-back Pervis Estupinan had his opening goal against Crystal Palace wrongly chalked off for offside.

According to Sportsmail, VAR official at the Arsenal game, Lee Mason forgot to draw lines to see whether or not Norgaard was offside when he crossed for Ivan Toney to score.

A statement from the PGMOL read: “Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process.

“Both incidents, which were due to human error and related to the analysis of offside situations, are being thoroughly reviewed.”

After the match, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “I just looked back and it is offside. They will probably give an explanation later in the week but today we have not got one.

“You have to apply certain principles in defending and you do that by sticking to the rules. Suddenly you change the rules, and then you have to change your principles.”

PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/dCDkooxhxf

— PGMOL (@FA_PGMOL) February 12, 2023

Brighton meanwhile have released a statement stating that they have accepted the PGMOL’s apology.

It said: “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 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.”

What did you make of the VAR decisions on Saturday? Let us know in the comments.