Lawyer explains if Liverpool could sue Premier League if VAR error costs them title or Champions League spot

A prominent sports lawyer has explained whether Liverpool have grounds to sue the Premier League or PGMOL if their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham costs them the title or Champions League spot.

Reds supporters felt understandably cheated after the PGMOL confirmed that Luis Diaz's first-half goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside.

A damning audio from the VAR room has sent shockwaves around the Premier League, with the PGMOL having introduced a new VAR rule this weekend.

While Jurgen Klopp has called for the contest to be replayed - an idea which has been bluntly dismissed by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

But what if the result costs them the title or a Champions League spot come the end of the season?

A prominent sports lawyers told The i that it will be “extremely difficult” for Liverpool should they choose to mount legal action.

“Whilst it is undoubtedly frustrating for Liverpool and its supporters, this is clearly not the first incorrect decision involving VAR since it was introduced, nor will it be the last,” Mishcon de Reya lawyer Oliver Millichap said.

“However, a disgruntled club will find it extremely difficult to successfully bring a challenge against the Premier League, the PGMOL and the match day officials in connection with the incident for a number of reasons.

“The laws of the game specifically make it clear that any decision by the referee on the pitch is final. These laws even go as far as declaring that match officials will not be liable for any loss a club may suffer due to any decision taken in accordance with the laws of the game.

“In addition, Ifab’s [International Football Association Board] rules in relation to VAR state a match will not be invalidated because of a match official’s decision not to review an incident or where a wrong decision was reached when VAR was used, which appears to be the case here.”

Millichap added: “Had an incident like this taken place towards the end of the season, and the decision – or lack of – had a significant impact on that club’s season – such as missing out on the Champions League or title itself – it wouldn’t be completely surprising if the disgruntled club at least attempted to bring a claim – potentially against the Premier League itself – albeit, I suspect the chance of success would still be low.

“In the past where challenges to ‘field of play decisions’ in other sports have been escalated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) – CAS has made it clear that generally it will only get involved where a decision has been tainted by fraud, bad faith, bias, arbitrariness or corruption that claimants have been successful, and I would expect the same principle to be taken by any arbitral panel that is constituted should a disgruntled club pursue this further.”

SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated news channel to send you the latest news, features and plenty more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.