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Liverpool vs Arsenal VAR official 'spotted with FPL app open' while making decision in crucial game

tom malley
·2-min read
-Credit: (Image: X/Twitter)
-Credit: (Image: X/Twitter)


VAR came under fire after one of its officials was allegedly spotted with the 'FPL app open' during Arsenal vs Liverpool.

It's not yet clear what decision was being decided by the governing panel at the time but the image caused widespread disbelief among football fans, with those of the Gunners and the Reds, in particular, the most shocked by the situation.

The match between the two Premier League title challengers ended in a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium, with Liverpool twice responding through Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah to secure a point in north London.

There were also a number of big decisions made throughout the match, with VAR being called upon for Arsenal's second goal of the game as Mikel Merino put the hosts 2-1 ahead late into the first-half.

The Premier League's official "Match Centre" account on X explained why the goal was allowed to stand, writing: "The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as there were no attackers in an offside position."

But whether the alarming image of one of the officials with the FPL app open was taken from that decision, or another, is not yet clear, although ESPN's Dale Johnson has since confirmed that the Premier League Match Manager app was on display on screen, and not the FPL app.

That's despite one eagle-eyed fan claiming the VAR official had the 'transfer tab' open, suggesting he was already making transfers ahead of next weekends games.

This incident initially raised further concerns over the focus of VAR officials during games, as well as the seriousness of its use in the Premier League, yet the clarification over what was visible on TV should clear some things up.

Thankfully for Liverpool no VAR decisions went against it, although the point unfortunately isn't enough to take them back to the top of the Premier League following Manchester City's victory over Southampton on Saturday.