Fans satisfied VAR official has Fantasy Football open when cameras lower to Stockley Park
Fans were left convinced that a VAR official was checking their Premier League Fantasy Football team during the 2-2 draw between Arsenal and Liverpool on Sunday.
In the hotly-contest match-up between two sides with title ambitions, Arsenal re-took the lead in added time at the end of the first half as summer signing Mikel Merino headed the Gunners 2-1 ahead from Declan Rice’s delivery.
The Spaniard appeared to have timed his run perfectly to latch onto the end of the free-kick and score a timely first goal for the club. But as always, the decision was subject to VAR casting a close eye on a potential offside in the build-up.
During the check, the Sky Sports feed cut to an image of the VAR Hub at Stockley Park, where eagle-eyed viewers spotted a mobile phone in the background. The image went viral on social media as fans were adamant the app open on the screen was the FPL app.
However, Daily Star Sport can clear up the controversy, after speaking to the PGMOL, who pointed out it was not in fact the FPL app that fans could see, but the Premier League match manager app.
The Premier League match manager app is in operation at every station for every match in the VAR Hub, detailing game information including line-ups and substitutions. Critically, the PGMOL also has a rule banning any personal devices from the VAR Hub.
While the game was largely incident-free, Anthony Taylor ruled for a foul in the build-up to what would have likely been a winner for the hosts in second half added time, after Mohamed Salah has levelled the scores at 2-2.
The referee had awarded a free-kick to Liverpool before the ball was eventually put in the net a number of seconds later. Because Taylor had stopped the play before the goal was scored, VAR were unable to intervene.
With both sides having to settle for a draw, Liverpool were unable to reclaim top spot from Manchester City, who climbed to the summit on Saturday with a 1-0 win against Southampton. Arsenal remain in third, five points behind City and four points behind Liverpool.
