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Premier League reviews VAR protocols after Sunderland penalty controversy

By Drooid · Sep 14, 2026, 2:17 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Premier League reviews VAR

Premier League officials warned they must adjust the new holding-offence rule after the Sunderland-Arsenal penalty.
The league said failing to revise the rule could produce weekly controversial penalties.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett posted on X supporting the penalty decision, sparking debate.
Ex-defender Ashley Williams released a video analysis backing Arteta’s criticism of the call.
The Premier League announced a review of VAR protocols following the incident.

Summary

Arsenal contacts Pro Ref

Arsenal will contact Pro Ref, the Premier League refereeing body, over Sunderland’s penalty decision.
Referee John Brooks awarded the spot-kick, deeming Ezri Konsa fouled Dan Ballard.
VAR officials Stuart Attwell and Edward Smart reviewed the incident and upheld Brooks’s decision.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called the penalty decision “unacceptable” and demanded an explanation.
Pro Ref later admitted an “error of judgement” in the Manchester derby’s Haaland goal, increasing scrutiny.

History

Historical Context

In 2019 the Premier League launched Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, promising to curb blatant officiating mistakes across English football. During its inaugural season VAR reviewed 1,200 incidents, with referee Michael Oliver overseeing 30% of those checks, according to league data. The incident mirrors the dispute, where John Brooks and Stuart Attwell upheld a goal, prompting Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Keith Hackett to protest. That earlier backlash forced the Premier League and Pro Ref to tighten VAR guidelines, suggesting today's scrutiny may trigger rule refinements and clearer holding-offence definitions.

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Premier League reviews VAR

Premier League officials warned they must adjust the new holding-offence rule after the Sunderland-Arsenal penalty.
The league said failing to revise the rule could produce weekly controversial penalties.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett posted on X supporting the penalty decision, sparking debate.
Ex-defender Ashley Williams released a video analysis backing Arteta’s criticism of the call.
The Premier League announced a review of VAR protocols following the incident.

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