Everton suffered from two clear refereeing mistakes on Saturday, but their victory means that little attention will be paid to the errors. Wolverhampton Wanderers’ disallowed late equaliser for offside has rightfully taken center stage in the headlines, highlighting yet another VAR blunder in a season filled with controversies. The misuse of technology has led to growing frustration and criticism, with both Everton and Wolves feeling particularly hard done by throughout the campaign.
Gary Lineker, expressing his frustration with VAR, recently shared his thoughts on the matter. He criticized the system after witnessing multiple incidents, including the lack of penalty calls for Everton and the disallowed Wolves goal. These examples further confirmed the flaws in the current implementation of VAR, prompting Lineker to label it as “another stinker of a day for VAR.”
Referee Michael Oliver, known for his contentious decisions, had a particularly poor game at Goodison Park. Failing to make key calls, such as a red card and a penalty, Oliver’s performance added to the frustrations of both teams and fans. His consistent errors, including incorrect advantage decisions and misplaced throw-ins, only added to the disappointing spectacle of the match. Despite the glaring mistakes, Oliver’s shortcomings were overshadowed by Everton’s victory, highlighting the need for improvement in both the technology and the officiating personnel involved with VAR.
