Referee behind weekend VAR errors axed from Arsenal vs Manchester City game

Referee Michael Oliver will take charge of Sunday's encounter between Liverpool and Manchester City

PREMIER LEAGUE Referee behind weekend VAR errors axed from Arsenal vs Manchester City game

Ayoola Kelechi 13:38 - 13.02.2023

The referee made errors over the weekend that POGMOL had to apologise for

Video Assistant Referee John Brooks was set to take charge of tonight's Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton and Wednesday’s crucial Arsenal vs. Manchester City fixture that has potential repercussions for the title race but has now been taken off those games following errors in the match between Crystal Palace and Brighton.

Brooks given England’s biggest fixtures despite glaring errors over the weekend

Brooks was in charge of the VAR room in the Premier League game between Crytal Palace and Brighton, and famously ruled out a perfectly good Brighton goal when he measured the offside line from the wrong Palace player. 

The Cyrstal Palace vs Brighton game was marked by controversy

His judgment was also called into question when he did not advise that a red card be given to Alxeis MacAllister following a horror tackle on Cheick Doucoure. MacAllister escaped the incident with only a yellow card. 

After the errors, Brooks has now been taken off VAR duties after initially being given the reigns over two of the biggest matches in the Premier League this week, including a pivotal game at the top of the table featuring a side that have already been involved in two VAR errors this season. 

Arsenal’s misfortune with VAR 

Arsenal have recently received an apology from POGMOL chief, and former Premier League referee Howard Webb for an error that cost them two points at Brentford over the weekend, and have also seen a VAR intervention in an earlier fixture that was termed a mistake in retrospect. 

Ivan Toney's goal against Arsenal was incorrectly allowed to stand

Against Brentford, Ivan Toney’s late equalizer was scored after Christian Norgaard passed to him from an offside position, and the goal was allowed to stand despite a lengthy VAR check. 

Also against Manchester United in September, Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal the lead at Old Trafford, but the goal was ruled out by VAR after an apparent foul on Christian Eriksen, that decision was also later termed an error. 

This means that of the five times that Arsenal have dropped points this season, at least two have been heavily influenced by a VAR error, and they would rightly be happy that Brooks has taken off VAR duties for their upcoming match against defending Champions Manchester City. 

Andre Marriner will now be in charge of the Liverpool vs. Everton game, while David Coote will be in the VAR room for the Arsenal vs. Manchester City game. 

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