Overview
- The Key Match Incidents panel said on Sept. 23 that the on-field penalty given to Sunderland against Arsenal was incorrect but that VAR was right not to recommend a pitchside review by a 3-2 majority because the call did not meet the 'clear and obvious' error standard.
- Referee John Brooks awarded the spot-kick for an Ezri Konsa challenge on Dan Ballard at a corner, Enzo Le Fée’s penalty was saved by David Raya, and the saved kick meant the incorrect award did not change Arsenal’s 2-0 result.
- The same KMI report unanimously found that Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby should have been disallowed for offside, prompting Pro Ref to acknowledge the mistake and to stand down some VAR officials while it reviews processes.
- The panel explained it assesses the referee’s on-field decision first and then judges VAR separately, a procedure that allows the KMI to call a decision wrong while still upholding VAR non-intervention under the league’s high threshold.
- The rulings have publicly validated Arsenal’s complaint, increased pressure on Pro Ref to clarify VAR guidance, and raised questions about whether current protocols protect match integrity and consistency for players, referees, and clubs.