Disallowed Van Dijk Goal in Man City-Liverpool Clash Defended by PGMOL Chief Howard Webb
the controversial decision too disallow a Virgil van Dijk goal during the match between Manchester City and Liverpool has been backed by Howard Webb, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief. Webb explained the reasoning behind the call on the “Match Officials Mic’d Up” show, acknowledging the subjective nature of the decision but defending the on-field officials and VAR’s assessment.
The incident occurred from a corner kick, with Van Dijk heading the ball towards the goal. Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson was in an offside position within the six-yard box, but did not touch the ball. Webb clarified that the key factor was whether Robertson’s actions impacted Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“Interfering with an opponent where the offside position player doesn’t play the ball…are some of the most subjective decisions that we have to make,” Webb stated. He detailed how City players intentionally moved to leave Robertson unmarked in a central position. As Van dijk’s header approached, Robertson “makes that clear action to duck below the ball,” three yards from goal.
The officials judged that this intentional ducking motion obstructed Donnarumma’s view and ability to make a save.”The ball finds the goal in the half of the six-yard box where he is,” Webb explained. “Then,the officials have to make a judgment – did that clear action impact on Donnarumma…and his ability to save the ball?”
Webb emphasized that VAR’s role is to determine if the on-field decision was “clearly and obviously wrong.” In this case, VAR upheld the offside call, concluding the evidence did not meet that threshold. ”only Donnarumma truly knows if he was impacted by this,” Webb conceded, but affirmed the decision was defensible based on the available evidence of Robertson’s movement and proximity to the goalkeeper.
