PGMOL ‘must strive for transparency’ but hypocritical clubs ‘wouldn’t dream’ of full disclosure – and Howard Webb ‘needs to calm down!’ Mail Sport’s experts have their say on the decision to hand over audio to Liverpool

• Liverpool have now received the VAR audio from their 2-1 defeat by Tottenham
• But were PGMOL right to hand it over? Mail Sport’s reporters have their say
• Click HERE to listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’

Liverpool have now been issued with the audio recordings that led to Luis Diaz’s wrongly disallowed goal against Tottenham on Saturday – but should PGMOL have handed it over in the wake of the backlash?

After PGMOL swiftly apologised for the VAR mistake, admitting it was the result of a ‘significant human error’, Liverpool released a statement demanding access to the audio file, insisting the decision was ‘unacceptable’ and ‘undermined sporting integrity’.

Although PGMOL chief Howard Webb was among those eager to unveil the audio,  others within the referees group disagreed with the decision to release it in the aftermath of Saturday’s controversial clash. 

It now appears the public will also be granted access to the audio file, either before or during the next episode of monthly television show Match Officials Mic’d Up, where Webb reviews major officiating decisions from the Premier League.

But should Liverpool and the public be granted access to the recording? By offering complete transparency, are PGMOL encouraging VAR officials to be more diligent or simply setting a dangerous precedent for other top flight clubs to abuse? Mail Sport’s experts have their say on the matter. 

Should Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have been granted audio access by PGMOL? Mail Sport’s experts have their say on the matter in the aftermath of Tottenham’s controversial 2-1 win

Luis Diaz looked to have put Liverpool ahead against Tottenham on Saturday, but his goal was controversially ruled out for offside because of a ‘significant human error’ by the VAR team

The disallowed strike came just three minutes before Son Heung-min’s opener for Spurs

YES:

LEWIS STEELE 

For the sake of transparency, Liverpool MUST be given access to the audio recordings from the monumental mess that occurred after Luis Diaz put the ball in the net on Saturday. 

The decision undermines the credibility of the Premier League in a similar way to in the Covid season of 2019-20, when Sheffield United were denied going ahead against Aston Villa as the goal-line technology failed. 

I concede that the PGMOL has a duty to protect its officials but, moving forward, Howard Webb must strive for more transparency to fans both at the match and those watching on television. 

Liverpool are right to feel wronged by the decision and they must be given access to the audio file so they can continue with their investigation and seek justice. 

Liverpool MUST be given access to the audio, according to Mail Sport reporter Lewis Steele

The decision undermined the credibility of the Premier League in a similar way to when Sheffield United were denied going ahead against Aston Villa in 2020 and ultimately relegated

NO: 

MATT BARLOW 

It would be fascinating to hear, although I don’t really know what’s to be gained. 

Rather than putting the officials on public trial for Liverpool’s satisfaction, the PGMOL would be better off concentrating on making sure it does not happen again.

This process ought to include giving serious consideration to bringing live VAR dialogue into the TV and radio coverage and bringing it inside the stadium for match-going fans. 

If we’re going to persist with this form of refereeing (and I suspect we are although I wish we weren’t) and make it work for the benefit of all, then reasoning between officials would be better as part of the live spectacle, as in rugby and cricket. 

Bringing live VAR dialogue into television and radio coverage would be a big improvement for fans, Mail Sport’s Matt Barlow believes

That way, we won’t have the awkward precedent inviting every aggrieved club to demand audio files released in retrospect after every wrong decision and fuelling the genuine problem of abuse towards referees at all levels of football. 

JACK GAUGHAN 

Releasing the audio might seem to be the logical next step, but it’s already widely accepted what happened anyway. 

Whether the need to serve up an exercise to humiliate the officials further over one particular incident is up to the PGMOL; it doesn’t seem overly constructive to me. Unless Howard Webb wants it for his TV show.

The wider problems come from countless new laws that are making the game unwatchable quite a lot of the time. Referees can’t control matches anymore, that’s generally more worrying than a one-off mistake.

JOE BERNSTEIN 

Football clubs want transparency with VAR audio but wouldn’t dream of releasing their dressing-room conversation if they lose.  

They don’t even reveal transfer fees paid. Everything they do is ‘undisclosed’ but seems they want full disclosure from others.

It smacks of having their cake and eating it. Not specifically aimed at Liverpool but all clubs who treasure their own secrecy but want everyone else to spill the beans.

Jurgen Klopp (right) argues with fourth official Michael Oliver (left) after the VAR blunder

Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan believes there’s no constructive purpose to releasing the audio –  besides PGMOL chief Howard Webb (above) using it for his TV show Match Officials Mic’d Up

TOM COLLOMOSSE 

When Liverpool or Manchester United are on the wrong end of a bad decision, the fame and profile of the clubs means everything is magnified. Yet it is safe to assume there were a few wry smiles on the faces of Wolves staff after the Luis Diaz error.

Last January, Toti Gomes’ goal at Anfield was wrongly ruled out for offside in an FA Cup third-round tie – and Wolves duly lost the replay. While Wolves were furious, their protests did not quite ‘go viral’ in the way Liverpool’s have. Perhaps the Molineux club should have shouted louder.

Yet the issue here is not really about Wolves, or Liverpool, or whether the VAR audio from Saturday’s match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium should be released. It’s that the system as used in England is broken – but it can be fixed.

Introduce semi-automatic offsides to bring clarity and cut the maddening delays while the decisions are made. And intervene less! 

Save VAR for the absolute howler, not to study replay after replay of marginal handball calls, or whether a player standing offside was interfering with play. The alternative is to press pause on the whole thing.

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Wolves were furious after Toti Gomes’ goal at Anfield in January was wrongly ruled out for offside – but their protests did not quite ‘go viral’ in the same way Liverpool’s have this week

CRAIG HOPE 

No, give these officials a break. Howard Webb needs to calm down. He seems too quick to appease clubs and media – the best managers and leaders look after their own. Since his return, there have been more VAR-related mistakes than before. 

Get your own house in order before worrying about perception to the outside world. Do that, and there will be no need for letters of apology and the releasing of audio. 

CHRIS WHEELER 

No, I think it’s time to let this one go. Liverpool were on the wrong end of a dreadful call, that’s quite clear. But what are they hoping to gain by pursuing this further and obtaining the audio? A witch-hunt? The heads of those responsible? 

Nothing positive can be gained by taking it any further. All it will do is set a precedent so any other club that feels wronged does the same. 

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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