Dale Johnson
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dalejohnsonbbc.bsky.social
Dale Johnson
@dalejohnsonbbc.bsky.social
Football Issues Correspondent @BBCSport. Lots of VAR, plus regulations, coefficients and permutations. Views my own. Ex-ESPN.
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REVEALED: VAR errors increase in first half of this season

📌 All 13 mistakes listed
📌 How the KMI Panel voted
📌 What the KMI Panel said
📌 Year-on-year numbers
📌 The 15 on-field errors not to VAR threshold
📌 5 missed second yellows

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
VAR errors increase - every mistake so far in 2025-26 Premier League
The Premier League's KMI Panel makes judgements on every key decisions. Here's what they say the VAR has got wrong.
www.bbc.co.uk
Law changes on the table at the Ifab this week:

🟥 DOGSO: Red cards for attacking phase not just fouled player (!)
❌ Wenger's offside to be canned
⌛️ Keeper "timeout"
📺 VAR: Corners, 2nd yellows
⏱️ Countdown for throw-ins & goal-kicks
➕ More!

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Red cards, VAR and offside laws facing Ifab review at London meeting
The Ifab's annual business meeting in London will discuss changes to the laws for the Fifa World Cup and domestic leagues.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 9:41 AM
The Premier League has joined forces with 28 leagues and player unions from around the world to ask football's lawmakers to trial temporary concussion substitutes.

The Ifab has repeatedly turned down requests, favouring permanent subs as in the laws.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Premier League leads call for temporary concussion subtitues
The Premier League again joins forces with leagues and player unions from around the world to ask football's lawmakers to trial temporary concussion substitutes.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 18, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Missed opportunity for Arsenal - but were they denied 'clear penalty'?

Analysis of the handball claim against Ola Aina.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Arsenal held to goalless draw at Nottingham Forest - but should Gunners have been awarded penalty?
Arsenal have moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest - but should the Gunners have been awarded a penalty?
www.bbc.co.uk
January 18, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Reposted by Dale Johnson
There was no VAR error to award Florian Wirtz's 'offside' goal for Liverpool at Fulham, says the Premier League's KMI Panel.

BBC Sport understands the discrepancy lies in the frame selected by the broadcaster, one frame later than the VAR's.

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
VAR: No error for Florian Wirtz goal for Liverpool at Fulham, panel says
The VAR was correct to intervene and give Florian Wirtz's goal at Fulham despite the Liverpool player appearing to be offside, a panel says.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 2:36 PM
There was no VAR error to award Florian Wirtz's 'offside' goal for Liverpool at Fulham, says the Premier League's KMI Panel.

BBC Sport understands the discrepancy lies in the frame selected by the broadcaster, one frame later than the VAR's.

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
VAR: No error for Florian Wirtz goal for Liverpool at Fulham, panel says
The VAR was correct to intervene and give Florian Wirtz's goal at Fulham despite the Liverpool player appearing to be offside, a panel says.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Offside or not?
Man City, Arsenal and VAR inconsistencies

A look at two decisions in 24 hours which gave Erling Haaland offside and Viktor Gyokeres onside.

You don't create consistency out of a poor VAR intervention, even if correct in law.

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
VAR controversy: Offside or not? Manchester City and Arsenal goal incidents in the spotlight
Manchester City had their goal disallowed, while Arsenal's was allowed to stand. But the VAR should not look to be consistent with a previous bad decision.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Reposted by Dale Johnson
Will Arsene Wenger's daylight idea fix offside?

Looking at:
🔹 VAR's negative influence in the drive for change
🔹 How semi-auto offside goes wrong in other leagues - watch for confetti!
🔹 Will the law be altered?
🔹 Unintended consequences

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Offside and VAR: Is Arsene Wenger's daylight idea the solution?
Is the offside law about to change to Arsene Wenger's daylight idea? And should football make that change just because of VAR?
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Will Arsene Wenger's daylight idea fix offside?

Looking at:
🔹 VAR's negative influence in the drive for change
🔹 How semi-auto offside goes wrong in other leagues - watch for confetti!
🔹 Will the law be altered?
🔹 Unintended consequences

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Offside and VAR: Is Arsene Wenger's daylight idea the solution?
Is the offside law about to change to Arsene Wenger's daylight idea? And should football make that change just because of VAR?
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Reposted by Dale Johnson
REVEALED: VAR errors increase in first half of this season

📌 All 13 mistakes listed
📌 How the KMI Panel voted
📌 What the KMI Panel said
📌 Year-on-year numbers
📌 The 15 on-field errors not to VAR threshold
📌 5 missed second yellows

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
VAR errors increase - every mistake so far in 2025-26 Premier League
The Premier League's KMI Panel makes judgements on every key decisions. Here's what they say the VAR has got wrong.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 9:30 AM
REVEALED: VAR errors increase in first half of this season

📌 All 13 mistakes listed
📌 How the KMI Panel voted
📌 What the KMI Panel said
📌 Year-on-year numbers
📌 The 15 on-field errors not to VAR threshold
📌 5 missed second yellows

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
VAR errors increase - every mistake so far in 2025-26 Premier League
The Premier League's KMI Panel makes judgements on every key decisions. Here's what they say the VAR has got wrong.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Strasbourg fans thought they never had it so good.

Improving team, big spending, revamped stadium.

As Liam Rosenior went to Chelsea fans knew the trade off between success and being the perceived subservient partner.

A look at multi-club ownership. 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Multi-club ownership: Chelsea taking Liam Rosenior from Strasbourg lays bare pitfalls of model
Strasbourg fans thought they had it good from being aligned with Chelsea. Then manager Liam Rosenior walked out mid-season to take charge of the Blues.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Aston Villa set-piece coach Austin MacPhee should have been sent off against Chelsea, says the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel.

MacPhee tried to stop Chelsea taking a quick throw in the 96th minute by rolling a ball onto the pitch.

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Villa set-piece coach should have seen red v Chelsea, panel says
As a Chelsea player prepared to take a throw-in, Austin MacPhee rolled another ball onto the pitch to delay the restart.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Manchester City's Ruben Dias should have been sent off for two yellows against Nottingham Forest, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has ruled.

However, the referee was correct to allow Man City's late winner.

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Nottingham Forest news: Man City's Ruben Dias should have been sent off v Forest, says panel
Nottingham Forest news: Man City's Ruben Dias should have been sent off v Forest, says panel
www.bbc.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Does Everton's Michael Keane deserve a three-match ban after his hair pull red card?

A look at why hair pulling is seeing as violent conduct.

Interpretation can change over time to make the punishment fit the crime.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Everton news: Does Michael Keane deserve a three-match ban after hair pull?
Everton news: Does Michael Keane deserve a three-match ban after hair pull?
www.bbc.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 11:36 AM
After Michael Keane's red card for Everton tonight.

These are all VAR red cards for hair pulling.

If this is identified it is now expected to be sent to review.

And yes, Cristian Romero on Marc Cucurella should have been one too for the hat-trick.
January 7, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Get ready for this ...

Fifa plans to create AI-enabled 3D avatars of every player at the 2026 World Cup.

All 1,248 players will have to enter a chamber and get a body scan to enhance the tournament's semi-automated offside technology.

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
World Cup 2026: Fifa to digitally scan all players to create offside avatars
Fifa is to create AI-enabled 3D avatars of all players at the World Cup to enhance semi-automated offside technology.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Why was Florian Wirtz's goal given onside through VAR?

It's all about the tolerance level, and the frame choice by the VAR and the broadcaster.

And the colour of Conor Bradley's boots.

READ MORE HERE: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
January 5, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Here's some analysis on the Florian Wirtz onside goal for Liverpool.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Why did Florian Wirtz's 'offside' equaliser for Liverpool at Fulham stand?
Florian Wirtz thought his goal for Liverpool in the 2-2 draw at Fulham was offside - so how did technology allow it to stand?
www.bbc.co.uk
January 4, 2026 at 8:41 PM
A couple of contentious VAR incidents from Thursday's Premier League action.

📌 Should Cristiano Romero have been sent off for a DOGSO challenge on Igor Thiago?
📌 Why staying on his feet cost Hugo Ekitike a penalty

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
VAR: Should Tottenham's Cristian Romero have been sent off against Brentford?
Should Tottenham's Cristian Romero have been sent off for bringing down Brentford's Igor Thiago when the striker was through on goal?
www.bbc.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Reposted by Dale Johnson
News just in from the Premier League KMI Panel:

❌ Everton SHOULD have been given a VAR penalty v Arsenal
❕ Newcastle v Chelsea: Chalobah DID foul Gordon, but not to the threshold for a VAR penalty
➕ Ekitike goal, Simons red, Van de Ven on Isak

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Key Match Incidents Panel: Everton wrongly denied penalty in Arsenal defeat
Everton should have been awarded a penalty in their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has said.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 4:36 PM
News just in from the Premier League KMI Panel:

❌ Everton SHOULD have been given a VAR penalty v Arsenal
❕ Newcastle v Chelsea: Chalobah DID foul Gordon, but not to the threshold for a VAR penalty
➕ Ekitike goal, Simons red, Van de Ven on Isak

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Key Match Incidents Panel: Everton wrongly denied penalty in Arsenal defeat
Everton should have been awarded a penalty in their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has said.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 4:36 PM
How is the Premier League doing in the race for five Champions League places?

As we head into the new year, looking at:
📌 How it works
📌 Current points table
📌 Premier League on course?

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Will the Premier League have five Champions League places again?
With the top three in the Premier League pulling away, could fifth be enough for Champions League football again?
www.bbc.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Chris Kavanagh has been promoted to the elite list of Uefa referees alongside Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor.

It means England has three refs in the top tier of European officials for the first time in eight years.

And the second time in 12 years.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Chris Kavanagh promoted as England has three Uefa elite referees for first time in eight years
Chris Kavanagh has been promoted to the elite list of Uefa referees alongside Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 30, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Former professional poker player James Bord has been chosen as the preferred bidder to take over Sheffield Wednesday, BBC Sport can confirm. #swfc

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
James Bord: Ex-poker player chosen as Sheffield Wednesday preferred bidder
Former professional poker player James Bord is chosen as the preferred bidder for Sheffield Wednesday, BBC Sport can confirm.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Why was Kylian Mbappe owed £1.3m in an ethics bonus from his PSG contract?

It might sound alien to British football fans.

But all is not quite what it seems.

With @priceoffootball.bsky.social

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Kylian Mbappe: Why France forward had ethics clause in Paris St-Germain contract
Paris St-Germain were told they must hand over a £1.3m
www.bbc.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 7:02 PM