Tottenham vs Liverpool would be replayed if Simon Hooper had overturned VAR blunder

Tottenham vs Liverpool would have had to been REPLAYED if Simon Hooper had overturned the VAR error.

Saturday's clash was marred with VAR controversy following an inexplicable incident in the first-half when Luis Diaz scored a legitimate goal - only for the strike to be ruled out.

Hooper was told that Diaz's goal should have been allowed, but the information from Darren England, who was on VAR duty, came too late for the match referee to reverse his decision.

England told Hooper "check complete" in the mistaken belief that the Liverpool winger had not been flagged offside.

The referee restarted play with a Spurs free-kick.

However, it was only when the ball next went out of play that Hooper was informed of the mistake, which would have seen Liverpool open the scoring at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Simon Hooper during Tottenham vs Liverpool. Image: Getty

Under the International FA Board protocols on VAR use, there was nothing Hooper could have done.

The rules state: "If play has stopped and been restarted, the referee may not undertake a 'review' except for a case of mistaken identity or for a potential sending-off offence relating to violent conduct, spitting, biting or extremely offensive, insulting and/or abusive action(s)."

Had Hooper gone back to the incident and awarded Jurgen Klopp's side the goal, it would have been fundamental breach of the protocols and the Laws of the Game.

Spurs would have protested the decision, and the breach would have resulted in the FA forcing them to agree with the Premier League that the fixture would be declared null and void, enforcing a replay of the league fixture.

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Topics: Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Football

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

@NasJabbar