Referees’ chiefs are set to release the audio of the bungled VAR call that cost Liverpool a goal at Tottenham on Saturday.
Luis Diaz had his strike disallowed for offside but VAR Darren England and assistant Dan Cook mistakenly thought the on-field decision was onside, so did not correct the blunder.
Liverpool heaped pressure on referees’ body PGMOL on Monday by demanding a copy of the tape and now they are expected to be granted their wish.
Mail Sport can reveal that senior figures at PGMOL were split over whether the audio should be made public. They are now leaning towards a release of the full exchange, although talks will be held on Tuesday over when to release it because a review is ongoing into Saturday’s incident.
Senior figures at the referees’ organisation disagreed over whether the conversation between referee Simon Hooper, VAR Darren England and his assistant Dan Cook should be revealed.
Referees’ chiefs are set to release the audio of the bungled VAR call that ruled out Luis Diaz’s goal for Liverpool at Tottenham on Saturday
Diaz looked to have put Liverpool ahead, but the goal was controversially ruled out
Some felt they should ‘own’ the mistake by showing immediate transparency, but that view met with opposition.
Yet following further talks, they are leaning towards revealing what was said in full. Further discussions will be held on Tuesday on the matter.
Insiders on Monday night refused to put a timeframe on a public release, though significantly they did not rule out that it could come as soon as Tuesday.
Liverpool condemned the error in an aggressive statement on Sunday night in which they said a ‘range of options’ were being explored, prompting speculation that they want the match — which they lost 2-1 — to be replayed. The club also put pressure on the officials by demanding a copy of the tape on Monday.
PGMOL are not only investigating Saturday’s incident but reviewing their policy of allowing referees to take international assignments between Premier League matches.
Liverpool have sent a formal request for the audio of the conversation between Simon Hooper (pictured) and VAR Darren England and his assistant Dan Cook
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp remonstrated with fourth official Michael Oliver
England and Cook were part of an officiating team for a match in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday night, completing their 16-hour round trip on Friday before their blunder in London on Saturday.
Referees are under pressure from Premier League clubs to halt these extracurricular gigs, with Michael Oliver having also overseen Al Hilal versus Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia in April.
Craig Pawson refereed Panathinaikos against PAOK in the Greek Super League in May, while Andy Madley took charge of two Japanese J1 League matches in June.
One club source yesterday said these trips are undermining the Premier League, adding it is not only Liverpool who disapprove of them.
It is understood referees can command in the region of £2,500 for these one-off assignments.
Each trip requires the approval of the FA and they tend to be sanctioned, so long as it does not disrupt the officials’ availability for Premier League matches.
The audio between referees and VARs is not currently permitted to be broadcast live, as per the rules of IFAB, football’s lawmakers
Liverpool are hoping to have Curtis Jones’ red card rescinded by the Premier League
However, Premier League commentators can hear the conversations while covering fixtures inside stadiums and those who listened in on Saturday have dismissed the fan-led talk of ‘corruption’.
It transpired that England mistakenly thought Diaz’s goal had been given on the field of play and so when he told Hooper ‘check complete’, he thought he was confirming that the winger was onside.
Once Tottenham restarted play with their free-kick, Hooper was unable to correct the call by awarding Liverpool their opener.
The PGMOL were contacted for comment on Monday.
