PGMOL takes action against two officials after VAR error with Liverpool

Premier League officials Darren England and Dan Cook have been stood down by the PGMOL after their VAR blunder in Liverpool’s defeat to Tottenham on Saturday.

England was the lead video assistant referee for Liverpool’s clash with Spurs and incorrectly believed that Luis Diaz’s goal had been allowed to stand in the 34th minute of the game when it was ruled out for offside by the on-field team.

The PGMOL acknowledged the major mistake after the game, claiming that a ‘significant human error’ prevented Diaz’s goal from standing.

England has now been removed as the fourth official for Nottingham Forest vs Brentford on Sunday, while Dan Cook, who was the assistant VAR for Liverpool’s match at Spurs has been removed as assistant referee for Fulham vs Chelsea on Monday evening.

A statement from the PGMOL on Sunday morning read: ‘PGMOL can confirm the following match official appointment changes for the remaining fixtures in matchround 7 in the Premier League.

‘Darren England, VAR on the Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool fixture, and Dan Cook, AVAR on the same game, have been replaced for the Nottingham Forest v Brentford and Fulham v Chelsea matches today and tomorrow night respectively.

‘Craig Pawson will now assume England’s duties as fourth official at the City Ground while Eddie Smart will take over from Cook as assistant referee at Craven Cottage.’

A statement from the PGMOL which acknowledged the initial error after Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham read: ‘PGMOL acknowledge a significant human error occurred during the first half of Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool.

‘The goal by Luis Diaz was disallowed for offside by the on-field team of match officials. This was a clear and obvious factual error and should have resulted in the goal being awarded through VAR intervention, however, the VAR failed to intervene.

‘PGMOL will conduct a full review into the circumstances which led to the error.

‘PGMOL will immediately contacting Liverpool at the conclusion of the fixture to acknowledge the error.’

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