VAR official dropped for Liverpool vs Arsenal after Fulham goal error

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·31. August 2025

VAR official dropped for Liverpool vs Arsenal after Fulham goal error

Howard Webb issued a personal apology to the Cottagers after Josh King was denied a well-taken opener

Removed: Michael Salisbury

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PGMOL have removed Michael Salisbury from VAR duties for Liverpool vs Arsenal after admitting he made a mistake in disallowing Fulham’s opener against Chelsea on Saturday.

Josh King thought he had opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge with a well-taken breakaway goal, but play was pulled back as Rodrigo Muniz was deemed to have fouled Trevoh Chalobah in the buildup.

It proved a pivotal moment in the match, which Chelsea went on to win 2-0 despite being outplayed for long stretches.

It was not the only contentious VAR decision in the match, either, as Chelsea were later awarded a penalty as Ryan Sessegnon was convicted of handling the ball after Joao Pedro got away with a similar offence.

PGMOL have now issued an apology to Fulham, though, acknowledging that Salisbury’s decision went against the ‘referee’s call’ principle, which holds that VAR can only intervene after a clear and obvious error.

VAR took centre stage at Stamford Bridge

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Howard Webb, PGMOL’s Chief Refereeing Officer, contacted the club personally.

John Brooks has been elected to replace Salisbury on VAR duties at Anfield on Sunday.

Fulham boss Marco Silva was left incensed by the decisions, saying at full-time: “The second decision was completely unbelievable, for that penalty, and it was an unbelievable decision [for the first].

“You have many decisions to talk about. I have spoken about referees so many times. I am not in the best mood to do it.”

Enzo Maresca disagreed, though, saying he did not find either decision controversial: “I don't think so because the foul is a foul and the penalty is a penalty. For me, it's quite clear.

“If I had some doubt, I would say. But it's quite clear that the foul is a foul and the other one is simple.”