Referees' Chief Admits VAR Errors, Clubs Demand Explanations

Referees' chief Howard Webb has acknowledged significant errors in recent Premier League matches, including a missed offside call in the Manchester derby and a disallowed goal for handball. These admissions come as clubs like Arsenal are demanding meetings with the refereeing body, Pro Ref, to discuss controversial decisions.

Webb stated that there was "conclusive" evidence of handball by Neco Williams in Nottingham Forest's match against Tottenham Hotspur, which led to a disallowed goal. He also admitted that VAR failed to assess an offside offense by Enzo Fernandez for Manchester City's winning goal against Manchester United. In response to these incidents, the VAR officials for the Manchester derby have been removed from this weekend's Premier League fixtures. Arsenal, meanwhile, is seeking an explanation from Pro Ref regarding a penalty awarded to Sunderland, which manager Mikel Arteta deemed "unacceptable."