A respected former PGMOL chief has questioned the league’s officiating after Newcastle striker Alexander Isak’s goal was disallowed in a high-profile clash against Arsenal.
The decision came after a lengthy VAR review at St. James’ Park, yet the reasoning behind the offside ruling was not made clear to viewers.
Newcastle, who secured their place in the Carabao Cup final with a 2-0 win over Arsenal—completing a 4-0 aggregate victory in the semi-finals—saw their momentum disrupted by the disallowed goal. This added an extra layer of frustration to an already charged encounter, especially amid Arsenal’s ongoing transfer challenges.
Isak, heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this season, had a golden opportunity to put Newcastle ahead. Racing through on goal, he finished with clinical precision, only for his strike to be nullified by the offside decision, intensifying the debate around VAR decisions.
The review process was notably slow, with officials taking several minutes to conclude that Isak was offside in the build-up. Referee Simon Hooper, during a trial aimed at improving clarity for fans in attendance, announced the decision live with his trademark gesture, signaling that the offside had been awarded.
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Criticism mounted when it emerged that viewers at home did not see the confirmation lines drawn to verify Isak’s offside position. The former official blasted the delayed and opaque process, questioning the effectiveness of the current system and demanding answers on when the promised semi-automated offside technology from Genius Sports will be implemented.
Despite the controversy, Newcastle managed to regain control of the game. Shortly after the disallowed goal, Jacob Murphy capitalized to open the scoring, and later, Anthony Gordon exploited an error from Arsenal’s keeper David Raya to secure a 2-0 victory, ensuring their progress to the Carabao Cup final.
The incident has sparked widespread debate about VAR efficiency and the clarity of offside rulings. Critics argue that such delays and the lack of visible confirmation undermine the integrity of the decision-making process on the pitch.
Meanwhile, as the season unfolds, the pressure is on the PGMOL to refine their systems and restore confidence among fans and pundits alike. This episode not only highlights the need for technological advancements in officiating but also sets the stage for further scrutiny of the VAR system in future high-stakes matches.
