The Premier League has published full transcript of the VAR discussions that led to the controversial overturning of Arsenal against Newcastle
The Premier League has published the audio and full transcript of the VAR discussions that led to the controversial overturning of Arsenal’s first-half penalty in their 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday.
The incident came in the 14th minute when Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres went down in the box after colliding with Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. Referee Jarred Gillett immediately awarded a penalty, but VAR official Darren England intervened, prompting an on-field review. After consulting the pitch-side monitor, Gillett rescinded the decision, ruling that Pope had touched the ball before making contact with the striker.
The reversal drew heated protests from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and captain Bukayo Saka, with the Gunners conceding soon after to trail 1-0. However, they mounted a late fightback, sealing a 2-1 win through goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhaes.
READ MORE: Robert Pires makes shocking claim on Mikel Arteta’s potential sack this season
The exchange between officials was released during the latest edition of Match Officials Mic’d Up, a Premier League initiative to improve transparency in refereeing. PGMOL Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb defended the outcome, calling it a “clear correction of an on-field error.”
“The referee gave a penalty, but we see quite clearly that the goalkeeper plays the ball first,” Webb explained. “Any contact that follows comes after Pope has touched the ball, so no penalty kick should have been awarded.”
The transcript reveals the detailed deliberation between the VAR team and referee: England repeatedly sought different angles, with assistant VAR Steven Meredith and replay operators helping confirm that Pope had indeed made contact with the ball. Eventually, Gillett overturned his own decision, ruling no foul.
Jarred Gillett was called to check on the VAR before overturning Arsenal penalty against Newcastle United (Image credit: Getty Images)
The incident has reignited debate over the consistency of VAR, with Arsenal fans pointing to past grievances against Newcastle. While Webb acknowledged the controversy, he insisted the system had functioned as intended. “This is an example of VAR being used to ensure the correct outcome,” he said.
The full transcript:
Gillett: “On-field decision is a penalty. Nick Pope, a trip by Nick Pope.”
England: “OK, checking the on-field decision of penalty.”
England: “Got a better angle?”
Replay Operator: “Yeah, I’ve got a better angle from behind here.”
England: “Does he get a touch on the ball, the goalkeeper? I think he gets a touch on the ball. Nick Pope gets a touch on the ball here.”
Assistant VAR (Steven Meredith): “Yes, he does, yeah.”
England: “Does he? One more time. He actually gets a touch on the ball, doesn’t he?”
Meredith: “Yeah, there’s a secondary touch.”
England: “Give me another angle, please. Just make sure that Pope touches the ball, please.”
Replay Operator: “I’ve got an SSM (Super-Slow Motion), but it’s from the other side.”
England: “He does touch the ball, doesn’t he? Touches the ball first, then there’s contact afterwards. Therefore, that’s not a penalty kick. He touches the ball there.”
Replay Operator: “This is the best angle.”
Meredith: “Have you got the behind view?”
Replay Operator: “Yeah, this is the best angle I’ve got.”
England: “He does, doesn’t he? He touches. OK, let’s just check the APP (Attacking Possession Phase) as it goes over as well.”
Meredith: “It’s definitely played by a defender. But check it anyway.”
England: “Jarred, I’m going to recommend an on-field review for possible no penalty. Let me know when you’ve got the monitor. I am going to check APP as well. Nick Pope gets a touch on the ball.”
Replay Operator: “I’ll go slowly so you can check the APP.”
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
England: “Yeah, yeah. It’s his defender, a clear defender, isn’t it? It’s always clear defender, that’s fine. The APP has been checked, the APP is clear as well. I’m going to show you the tight angle first with the ball being touched by Nick Pope. Any contact that happens thereafter, after the contact has been made.”
England: “Nick Pope gets a touch with his right foot, I’ll give you another angle on the touch.”
Gillett: “Show me a better angle to see that he touches the ball.”
England: “I will do, I’ll show you a better angle.”
Replay Operator: “Do you want the SSM from the other side?”
England: “Yeah, yeah, yeah, super slow. Super slow, coming in now. Gets a touch on the ball there. And then just plants his foot in a normal action.”
Gillett: “The attacker plays the ball first. I don’t know if the goalkeeper actually plays the ball.”
England: “The attacker plays the ball. Yeah, the attacker plays the ball, and the goalkeeper plays the ball then with his right foot, there.”
Gillett: “Just play it at full speed, please.”
England: “Any contact there, any contact after that is normal contact, because the goalkeeper just plays his foot.”
Gillett: “Can you play it at full speed?”
England: “Playing at normal speed for you.”
Gillett: “So I’m seeing the goalkeeper get a toe to the ball first,”
England: “Agree.”
Gillett: “So after a review, the goalkeeper plays the ball, there’s no foul. Final decision, we drop ball.” England: “Confirmed.”
LIVERPOOL10 months ago