Dale Johnson
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Dale Johnson
@dalejohnsonbbc.bsky.social
Football Issues Correspondent @BBCSport. Lots of VAR, plus regulations, coefficients and permutations. Views my own. Ex-ESPN.
Pinned
Tonight's Champions League VAR drama explained!

📌 Handball! How Liverpool went from free-kick to penalty to dropped ball to Courtois
📌 Arsenal's handball penalty vs. Slavia Prague
📌 Brennan Johnson red card

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
VAR intervenes on handball penalty for Liverpool and Arsenal
Handball or not? Liverpool and Arsenal were both on the end of VAR decisions for penalties in the Champions League.
www.bbc.co.uk
Unlike some of the other leading World Cup contenders, England have been starved of top-level competition since Euro 2024.

It means the task of picking warm-up games is a tricky one for coach Thomas Tuchel.

Here's the situation 👇

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
England's World Cup dilemma - tough opposition or easy friendlies?
England have been able to start preparing for the World Cup for months, but the task of picking warm-up games is tricky. BBC Sport assesses some of the options.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Player behaviour did not appear in Reinventing Football, our manifesto for fixing issues in the game, but it was a big focus for supporters.

We approached the Ifab, Fifa, Uefa, the Football Association, the Premier League and PGMO to raise fans' concerns.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Reinventing Football: Is anything being done about poor player behaviour?
Player behaviour didn't feature in Reinventing Football, our manifesto for the game, but it was a big focus for fans.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 4:32 PM
If the row over the Andrew Robertson offside has shown one thing, it's that VAR can never overcome the simple issue of subjectivity and how fans view and dissect decisions against their own team.

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Robertson row shows the problems VAR can never fix
Football's subjective laws mean supporters will never get on board with all decisions, and that's a problem for VAR.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 1:24 PM
One of the messages that came through loud and clear when we asked for your views on Reinventing Football was you hate time-wasting.

How about stopping the clock when the ball goes out?

We've looked at its merits.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Will a stopped clock end time-wasting in football?
Would a game of two halves of 30 minutes, with the watch stopped when the ball is out, really improve football?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Premier League referees' chief Howard Webb has backed his officials, saying it was "not unreasonable" for Virgil van Dyk's goal to be disallowed for offside against Manchester City.

Webb also supported the VAR decision not to change the on-field call.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Liverpool v Man City: Howard Webb backs officials over disallowed Reds goal
Howard Webb insists it was
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Reinventing Football - how would you change some of the laws?

We've looked at ways to change:
▪️ Penalties
▪️ VAR
▪️ Handball
▪️ Lost time
▪️ Tactical timeouts
▪️ Quick free-kicks
➕ More

What would you change? Read all about it here 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Reinventing Football: Which laws should change? Handball? Offside? Penalties?
Imagine if you could make one change to football. We've asked players, pundits and referees what they would do.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Why does VAR get involved in some penalties but not others?

Looking at:
📌 Doku's penalty vs. Liverpool
📌 Ouattara's first penalty claim
📌 Dowman vs. Leeds
📌 Considerations for the VAR
📌 Simulation and rescinded yellows

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Why VAR gets involved in some penalties but not others
It was a weekend of VAR penalty decisions in the Premier League, with spot-kicks awarded, cancelled and ignored. BBC Sport explains why.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Instant analysis of Liverpool's offside goal.

📌 Explaining Robertson's "obvious action"
📌 Why VAR didn't get involved
📌 Comparison to disallowed Everton goal (Kavanagh)
📌 Comparison to Man City goal v Wolves (Kavanagh)
➕ More from the team
#MCILIV
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Man City 3-0 Liverpool: Did disallowed Virgil van Dijk goal alter course of Premier League game?
Liverpool were on the end of a 3-0 defeat by Manchester City, but did a pivotal moment dramatically alter the course of the game?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Tonight's Champions League VAR drama explained!

📌 Handball! How Liverpool went from free-kick to penalty to dropped ball to Courtois
📌 Arsenal's handball penalty vs. Slavia Prague
📌 Brennan Johnson red card

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
VAR intervenes on handball penalty for Liverpool and Arsenal
Handball or not? Liverpool and Arsenal were both on the end of VAR decisions for penalties in the Champions League.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Why Sean Dyche won't get his way for VAR to review corners.

Plus, Marcos Senesi's double red card escape, and how the VAR review to cancel West Ham's penalty actually gave them a goal.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Why VAR won't review corners after Sean Dyche's complaints
Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche is frustrated after Casemiro's goal from a corner is allowed to stand, but VAR will not be changing to include them in its remit.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The Ifab's football & technical panels met today.

⏱️ Debated adding referee countdown to throw-ins & goal kicks
🟨🟨🟥 Second yellow cards given set to be VAR reviewable
🟨 Possible second yellows NOT reviewable
❌ Wrong corners NOT reviewable

READ 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Ifab discusses countdown on throw-ins and goal-kicks
The Ifab - football's lawmakers - has discussed placing a countdown on throw-ins and goal-kicks to stop timewasting.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Reposted by Dale Johnson
🚨 Personal news klaxon! 🚨

My time at ESPN is over after a great stint, longer than SWFC's absence from the Premier League. So, there's no VAR Review.

But fear not!

I will soon start a hugely exciting new role BBC Sport, covering all the usual topics but much, much more.
October 20, 2025 at 12:01 PM
🚨 Personal news klaxon! 🚨

My time at ESPN is over after a great stint, longer than SWFC's absence from the Premier League. So, there's no VAR Review.

But fear not!

I will soon start a hugely exciting new role BBC Sport, covering all the usual topics but much, much more.
October 20, 2025 at 12:01 PM
World Cup qualifying has entered the final stretch - but there are still THIRTY places up for grabs.

Today, three more countries could book their places:
🇨🇻 Cape Verde
🇪🇬 Egypt
🇬🇭 Ghana

Here's how, and a full breakdown of qualifying around the world.
www.espn.co.uk/football/sto...
The race to the 2026 World Cup: Egypt, Cape Verde, Ghana out to book places
The race for the 2026 World Cup is drawing to a close. Here's how it's looking around the globe.
www.espn.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Reposted by Dale Johnson
The VAR Review is live!

This week:
📌 Should Arsenal's penalty have been overturned?
📌 Saka offside
📌 Sunderland's cancelled penalty
📌 Chelsea / Liverpool penalty claims
📌 Bournemouth penalty?
📌 Flemming / Uche violent conduct?
➕ More!
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Should Arsenal's penalty have been overturned? Plus, Man United's spot-kick escape
Should Arsenal's penalty against West Ham have been canceled? What happened with Sunderland's overturned spot kick at Manchester United?
www.espn.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The VAR Review is live!

This week:
📌 Should Arsenal's penalty have been overturned?
📌 Saka offside
📌 Sunderland's cancelled penalty
📌 Chelsea / Liverpool penalty claims
📌 Bournemouth penalty?
📌 Flemming / Uche violent conduct?
➕ More!
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Should Arsenal's penalty have been overturned? Plus, Man United's spot-kick escape
Should Arsenal's penalty against West Ham have been canceled? What happened with Sunderland's overturned spot kick at Manchester United?
www.espn.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by Dale Johnson
Here's your bumper VAR Review!

This week:
📌 Explaining Arsenal's cancelled penalty
📌 Gabriel handball?
📌 Collins DOGSO vs. Man United?
📌 Salah handball?
📌 Gusto high foot on Minteh?
📌 Chalobah DOGSO
📌 King penalty dive
➕ Much, much more!
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Why Arsenal's penalty was overturned; Collins' red-card escape vs. Man United
How Arsenal's penalty against Newcastle United was overturned, and why Brentford's Nathan Collins escaped a red card against Manchester United.
www.espn.com
September 29, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Here's your bumper VAR Review!

This week:
📌 Explaining Arsenal's cancelled penalty
📌 Gabriel handball?
📌 Collins DOGSO vs. Man United?
📌 Salah handball?
📌 Gusto high foot on Minteh?
📌 Chalobah DOGSO
📌 King penalty dive
➕ Much, much more!
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Why Arsenal's penalty was overturned; Collins' red-card escape vs. Man United
How Arsenal's penalty against Newcastle United was overturned, and why Brentford's Nathan Collins escaped a red card against Manchester United.
www.espn.com
September 29, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Reposted by Dale Johnson
The VAR review is live!

This week:
📌 Fernandes/Sesko offside?
📌 Sanchez red card
📌 Pedro penalty?
📌 Cucurella red?
📌 Handball by Tonali?
📌 Woltemade penalty?
📌 Fulham disallowed goal
📌 Reinildo red

READ 👇
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Explaining Bruno Fernandes' 'offside,' Sánchez's red card, Newcastle's penalty claim
Looking at Robert Sánchez's red card for Chelsea at Manchester United, a possible offside on Bruno Fernandes' goal and a potential penalty.
www.espn.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:32 PM
The VAR review is live!

This week:
📌 Fernandes/Sesko offside?
📌 Sanchez red card
📌 Pedro penalty?
📌 Cucurella red?
📌 Handball by Tonali?
📌 Woltemade penalty?
📌 Fulham disallowed goal
📌 Reinildo red

READ 👇
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Explaining Bruno Fernandes' 'offside,' Sánchez's red card, Newcastle's penalty claim
Looking at Robert Sánchez's red card for Chelsea at Manchester United, a possible offside on Bruno Fernandes' goal and a potential penalty.
www.espn.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Reposted by Dale Johnson
The VAR Review is LIVE!

Featuring:
📌 Brentford's "offside" goal vs. Chelsea
📌 Tottenham's disallowed goal & possible penalty
📌 Soucek red card
📌 Mosquera DOGSO vs. Newcastle?
📌 Ugochukwu straight red?
📌 Encroaching by Frimpong
➕ More!

READ 👇
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Why Brentford's goal vs. Chelsea wasn't ruled out for offside; Maddison's VAR rage
Should Brentford's stoppage-time equaliser against Chelsea have been disallowed for offside against Dango Ouattara?
www.espn.com
September 15, 2025 at 12:05 PM
The VAR Review is LIVE!

Featuring:
📌 Brentford's "offside" goal vs. Chelsea
📌 Tottenham's disallowed goal & possible penalty
📌 Soucek red card
📌 Mosquera DOGSO vs. Newcastle?
📌 Ugochukwu straight red?
📌 Encroaching by Frimpong
➕ More!

READ 👇
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Why Brentford's goal vs. Chelsea wasn't ruled out for offside; Maddison's VAR rage
Should Brentford's stoppage-time equaliser against Chelsea have been disallowed for offside against Dango Ouattara?
www.espn.com
September 15, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Reposted by Dale Johnson
As tomorrow is transfer deadline day you're being treated to a Sunday VAR Review!

Looking at:
📌 Fulham's disallowed goal
📌 Chelsea's handball penalty
📌 Man United's cancelled penalty
📌 Burnley offside
📌 Amad penalty
📌 Sunderland-Brentford holding
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
The VAR Review: Fulham fume at disallowed goal while Man United get late penalty
Fulham were furious when Josh King's goal was ruled out at Chelsea, while Manchester United's late victory over Burnley came courtesy of a VAR penalty.
www.espn.com
August 31, 2025 at 5:52 PM
As tomorrow is transfer deadline day you're being treated to a Sunday VAR Review!

Looking at:
📌 Fulham's disallowed goal
📌 Chelsea's handball penalty
📌 Man United's cancelled penalty
📌 Burnley offside
📌 Amad penalty
📌 Sunderland-Brentford holding
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
The VAR Review: Fulham fume at disallowed goal while Man United get late penalty
Fulham were furious when Josh King's goal was ruled out at Chelsea, while Manchester United's late victory over Burnley came courtesy of a VAR penalty.
www.espn.com
August 31, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Reposted by Dale Johnson
The VAR Review is LIVE!

This week:
📌 Man United's penalty
📌 Yoro push on Bassey?
📌 Trafford DOGSO?
📌 Penalty for Bobb?
📌 Saliba handball?
📌 Brentford's disallowed goal
📌 Handball by Dewsbury-Hall
📌 Violent conduct by Adringra?

www.espn.com/soccer/story...
The VAR Review: Why Man United's goal wasn't ruled out; Trafford's red-card escape
Looking at why Manchester United were awarded a penalty through VAR at Fulham but their goal was allowed to stand.
www.espn.com
August 25, 2025 at 1:03 PM