Fulham’s Robinson Criticizes VAR After Controversial Goal Disallowance

Fulham defender Antonee Robinson has expressed frustration over the role of the video assistant referee (VAR) in the Premier League, labeling the officiating standards as “shocking.” This criticism follows a controversial decision during Fulham’s match against Chelsea on Saturday, October 7, 2023, where a goal scored by Robinson’s teammate was disallowed after VAR intervened for a foul committed by Trevoh Chalobah in the buildup. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) later admitted that the decision to disallow the goal was incorrect.

The incident occurred during a tightly contested match at Stamford Bridge, where the VAR official, Michael Salisbury, took several minutes to review the play before ultimately deciding against the goal. Following the match, Howard Webb, the chief of referees, contacted Fulham to discuss the controversial ruling, further highlighting the growing concerns surrounding VAR’s effectiveness.

Robinson took to Instagram to voice his disappointment, stating, “If they can check something for five minutes and still get it wrong, then what’s actually the point?” He emphasized that the standard of officiating in the Premier League has been consistently poor.

Fulham’s manager, Marco Silva, also shared his dismay at the decision, questioning how such a goal could be disallowed. “It’s unbelievable,” Silva remarked after the match. He added, “We have meetings with the referees, the people in charge that we respect. We go there to see a direction, and one of the main things is that VAR is not here to re-referee the game.” Silva refrained from further comments, aware that additional criticism could lead to disciplinary action.

This latest incident adds to ongoing discussions about the implementation and impact of VAR in football, particularly in the Premier League, where controversial decisions have become increasingly common. As clubs and officials continue to navigate the complexities of modern officiating, the debate surrounding the effectiveness of VAR remains a hot topic among players, managers, and fans alike.