Premier League Referees Chief Howard Webb Defends Decision to Disallow Van Dijk Goal Against Manchester City

The Premier League’s refereeing body has backed the decision to disallow Virgil van Dijk’s goal during Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester City, insisting the officials correctly applied the rules in judging Andy Robertson to be interfering with play.

Howard Webb, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), publicly supported referee Chris Kavanagh and his team following Liverpool’s complaint that the goal should have stood.

Van Dijk thought he had equalised to make it 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium, but the effort was ruled out for offside after Robertson was deemed to have obstructed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s line of vision. The decision prompted frustration from Liverpool’s players and staff, who argued that Donnarumma’s view of the ball was not affected.

Speaking on the Premier League’s weekly refereeing review programme, Webb said the officials’ interpretation was “reasonable” given Robertson’s proximity to the goalkeeper.

“When the ball comes to Robertson, just a few yards from the goal line, he clearly ducks as it flies over his head and into the net,” Webb explained. “The officials then have to decide whether that action impacts Donnarumma’s ability to make a save. That’s where the subjectivity lies.”

Webb, who refereed the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands, acknowledged that not everyone agreed with the outcome but said the refereeing team made a fair call based on the circumstances.

“They looked at Robertson’s position and movement, so close to the goalkeeper, and made a judgement. It’s not universally accepted, but it’s not unreasonable that they decided to disallow it,” he added.

The PGMOL’s backing reinforces its confidence in the match officials’ handling of a decision that reignited debate over the interpretation of offside and interference in Premier League matches.