Sports
Why Referees Very Rarely Overrule VAR After Atletico v Arsenal Controversy
The “deeply embarrassing” reason Champions League referees rarely overrule VAR has emerged following the controversies surrounding Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night. The Gunners will still feel confident about reaching their first European final since 2006 as they take that scoreline back to the Emirates Stadium next week.
But in a match shaped by two penalties – first scored by Viktor Gyokeres and then cancelled out by Julian Alvarez on either side of half-time – Mikel Arteta’s side may feel frustrated not to have one foot in Budapest for this month’s final already. Despite dominating possession and registering more attempts on goal, two major refereeing decisions stemmed their flow at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Atletico were awarded a soft penalty after a deflected effort struck Ben White on the thigh before hitting his hand, prompting Jamie Carragher to launch into a passionate rant about the ‘ridiculous’ handball rule in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze was brought down in the box, only for his initial penalty award to be overturned by VAR late in the game.
Atletico vs Arsenal: Gerrard and McCoist Share Conspiracy Theory Over Penalty Decision
Arsenal were denied a late penalty under the lights in Madrid after the referee was sent to the pitchside monitor.
Why UCL Referees Are So Reluctant to Go Against VAR
It is common for groups of match officials to work together regularly across the Champions League. While it is not mandatory, it happens frequently and, according to the Daily Mail, sources claim that pressures can naturally build within those groups to “stick together”. That, the report says, creates a situation in which VAR officials and on-field referees are no longer truly independent of one another, allowing a power imbalance to develop.
The report uses the example that Italian referee Maurizio Mariani was said to have felt conflicted about overturning his decision to award Liverpool a penalty for a foul on Alexis Mac Allister against PSG at Anfield last month. Once VAR official Marco Di Bello advised his compatriot to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, Mariani ultimately followed the now-familiar route of reversing his original decision. According to the report, he later admitted privately that the pressure he felt to do so had been significant.
“This is the way it works,” a source close to the refereeing community told the Daily Mail. “These guys all know each other. They work together all the time. The referees just don’t want to go against the VAR guys. It’s almost like rebellion if they do. It just makes everyone feel uncomfortable. So with the world watching, they stick together. It’s human nature.”
Wording on the International Football Association Board website states: “A video assistant referee may assist the referee only in the event of a ‘clear and obvious error’.” However, there is a widespread belief that UEFA officials do not always follow that protocol strictly. This could help explain why similar handball decisions were made across three different matches this week, particularly if referees had consulted one another beforehand.
Diego Simeone Played Huge Role in Eze’s Penalty being Overturned
Beyond the concerns raised by Ian Ladyman about gaps in UEFA protocol, many were quick to suggest that Diego Simeone played a major role in the late drama that saw Eberechi Eze’s initial penalty award overturned after the referee was sent to the pitchside monitor to review the footage 12 times.
As referee Danny Makkelie went over to review his original decision, Simeone could be seen aggressively waving his arms and goading the officials, seemingly adding further pressure on the referee to change his mind. His antics were picked up on by pundits including Ally McCoist and Steven Gerrard, both of whom supported the theory that he influenced the outcome.
Declan Rice also made similar comments and is now facing the possibility of a ban as a result. Ironically, however, the England midfielder was himself seen shouting at the referee while he reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Leeds United are closing in on their first deal of the summer, as Harry Wilson is set to join the club, but they are quickly looking to back that up with another free agent arrival.
Daniel Farke has been pushing for some arrivals this summer to help back up a successful campaign where Premier League survival was confirmed.
Given the history of the club and the success of clubs elsewhere, the Whites will be dreaming of securing European football, and a move for Wilson could get them one step closer to that goal.
However, there’s another potential bargain deal on the horizon for Leeds, as the club eye up another potential free agent signing.
Leeds Continue Pursuits of Brandt and Charles
As Leeds close in on an announcement for Wilson to become the first signing of the summer, having become a free agent after leaving Fulham at the end of his contract, focus shifts to the next set of transfer targets.
Among them is Julian Brandt, as BBC journalist Adam Pope reports that the Elland Road outfit are continuing to explore a deal to sign the 30-year-old this summer.
The playmaker is a free agent after leaving Borussia Dortmund, and has drawn interest from Leeds to complete a potential switch to the Premier League.
The Whites face competition for his signature, with plenty of other teams also being linked with a deal to sign the attacking midfielder for a bargain.
It would add even more experience on top of Wilson, with two players who are now in the peak of their career and capable of competing at the highest level.
It remains to be seen whether Leeds can get a move over the line for Brandt, as the club look to kick on and climb up the table with experience.
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Leeds United Transfer Balance
Leeds have departed from previous transfer strategies in going for two players around 30, but the pair will bring plenty of quality and experience, while the lack of a transfer fee will also help justify the moves.
However, there is still a balance to be had, and the club will be keen to avoid loading up the squad full of players in the latter peak of their career.
That’s where a move for Shea Charles comes into play, with the club recently having a £20 million bid rejected for the Southampton ace, with the 22-year-old having plenty of potential to grow further.
It remains to be seen whether any other targets will come under the umbrella of being a signing for the future, but the balance should stand the team in good stead for the future.
Jon Jones has come across many of the hardest hitters in UFC history. However, there is one man whose power bothered ‘Bones‘ more than the rest.
The 37-year-old, recognised as one of MMA’s all-time greats, built an illustrious career. After dominating the record books with UFC title wins (16) and being one of only a handful of fighters in history to hold world championships in two different weight classes, Jones has proven himself against some of the sport’s biggest names in their respective eras, including Daniel Cormier, Stipe Miocic, and Rampage Jackson.
Following two spells as the light heavyweight champion – from 2011 to 2015 and again from 2018 to 2020 – Jones moved up to the heavyweight division in 2023, claiming the gold with a victory over Ciryl Gane and later defending the title against Miocic.
Jones’ only UFC loss came via a controversial disqualification loss – and he has never been knocked out in his career. According to the man himself, though, that almost wasn’t the case.
Jon Jones Admits He Was Almost Knocked Out By Overhand Right
“The hardest punch I ever received was from a guy named Suga Rashad Evans,” he said via talkSPORT.
“He caught me with an overhand right, the same exact punch he hit Chuck Liddell with and dropped him, he caught me with that same punch.
Dustin Poirier Named Hardest Hitter He Faced During UFC Career
Dustin Poirier once revealed who punched him the hardest during his UFC career, which came to an end at UFC 318.
“It wasn’t that he hit me so hard, it was the speed of the punch. It was almost like, you can tighten up, or you can just let your arm be loose and let it swing. It’s kind of like an overhand slap, bro, he hit me so fast, and I had no clue what it was.
“He just caught me right at the edge of my chin and I remember my feet were to a point where I couldn’t control my legs. Then I refocused, and I was able to stand again, but, bro, that was by far the fastest I’ve ever been hit. And thank God I didn’t become unconscious because I probably should have been.”
Before the pair clashed for Jones’ light heavyweight title at UFC 145 in April 2012, the champion and Evans had shared a close relationship as training partners at Jackson Wink MMA. Evans even mentored a young Jones as he broke into the UFC limelight. However, tensions arose after Evans had left the gym in pursuit of establishing his own Blackzilians training centre in Florida in 2011.
The bitterness between the two further developed a year later as they would battle it out in the Octagon just a few short months later. Despite being staggered by Evans’ thunderous overhand right swing, Jones went on to dominate the rest of the fight, securing a unanimous decision victory and retaining his title.
Jon Jones has come across many of the hardest hitters in UFC history. However, there is one man whose power bothered ‘Bones‘ more than the rest.
The 37-year-old, recognised as one of MMA’s all-time greats, built an illustrious career. After dominating the record books with UFC title wins (16) and being one of only a handful of fighters in history to hold world championships in two different weight classes, Jones has proven himself against some of the sport’s biggest names in their respective eras, including Daniel Cormier, Stipe Miocic, and Rampage Jackson.
Following two spells as the light heavyweight champion – from 2011 to 2015 and again from 2018 to 2020 – Jones moved up to the heavyweight division in 2023, claiming the gold with a victory over Ciryl Gane and later defending the title against Miocic.
Jones’ only UFC loss came via a controversial disqualification loss – and he has never been knocked out in his career. According to the man himself, though, that almost wasn’t the case.
Jon Jones Admits He Was Almost Knocked Out By Overhand Right
“The hardest punch I ever received was from a guy named Suga Rashad Evans,” he said via talkSPORT.
“He caught me with an overhand right, the same exact punch he hit Chuck Liddell with and dropped him, he caught me with that same punch.
Dustin Poirier Named Hardest Hitter He Faced During UFC Career
Dustin Poirier once revealed who punched him the hardest during his UFC career, which came to an end at UFC 318.
“It wasn’t that he hit me so hard, it was the speed of the punch. It was almost like, you can tighten up, or you can just let your arm be loose and let it swing. It’s kind of like an overhand slap, bro, he hit me so fast, and I had no clue what it was.
“He just caught me right at the edge of my chin and I remember my feet were to a point where I couldn’t control my legs. Then I refocused, and I was able to stand again, but, bro, that was by far the fastest I’ve ever been hit. And thank God I didn’t become unconscious because I probably should have been.”
Before the pair clashed for Jones’ light heavyweight title at UFC 145 in April 2012, the champion and Evans had shared a close relationship as training partners at Jackson Wink MMA. Evans even mentored a young Jones as he broke into the UFC limelight. However, tensions arose after Evans had left the gym in pursuit of establishing his own Blackzilians training centre in Florida in 2011.
The bitterness between the two further developed a year later as they would battle it out in the Octagon just a few short months later. Despite being staggered by Evans’ thunderous overhand right swing, Jones went on to dominate the rest of the fight, securing a unanimous decision victory and retaining his title.
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