The two assistant referees who caused chaos in Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday night have been removed from further officiating duties this weekend.
Referees’ body PGMOL admitted a ‘significant human error’ meant Luis Diaz’s strike in the 34th minute was wrongly disallowed for offside with the game set at 0-0.
The Reds had seen Curtis Jones sent off for a foul on Yves Bissouma before Diogo Jota was dismissed in the second half for two yellow cards in quick succession. Joel Matip’s 96th-minute own goal meant Tottenham nicked all three points after earlier strikes from Son Heung-min and Cody Gakpo.
An error in communication from VAR Darren England and assistant VAR Dan Cook saw on-field referee Simon Hooper chalk off Diaz’s strike despite the Colombia international clearly being onside before finishing.
The two officials have now been removed from further duties in gameweek seven. England will not be the fourth official on Sunday when Brentford visit Nottingham Forest, while Cook won’t run the line in Monday’s west London derby between Fulham and Chelsea.
A statement from PGMOL reads: “Darren England and Dan Cook have been replaced for the Nottingham Forest v Brentford and Fulham v Chelsea matches. Craig Pawson will now assume England’s duties as 4th official at City Ground while Eddie Smart will take over from Cook as assistant ref at Craven Cottage.”
PGMOL confirmed on Saturday a “full review” will be conducted into how Diaz’s goal was disallowed, though the statement didn’t draw the most enthusiastic response from wronged Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
He said: “I don’t think we should talk too much about that because it doesn’t help at all.
“Wolves got a similar statement, or apology. They didn’t get a point out of United and we won’t get a point today so it doesn’t help.”
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