Premier League release statement on controversial James Tarkowski decision as ex-referee makes damning VAR claim live on Sky

The event, which left Mac Allister visibly distressed and ignited immediate outrage from the home fans, saw referee Samuel Barrott only issue a yellow card—an action that VAR official Paul Tierney reviewed but ultimately chose not to reverse.

The Premier League quickly issued a statement via their Match Centre on X, justifying the decision: “The referee’s call of yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with contact on the follow-through after Tarkowski had played the ball deemed to be reckless.” Despite this clarification, the explanation did little to quell the growing controversy.

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean, speaking live on Sky Sports, harshly criticized the officiating, calling the decision “astounding” and asserting that it was a clear red card offense.

“I’m 100 percent certain—he knows what he’s doing, the follow-through is awful. It’s a terrible challenge, and he should’ve been sent off,” Dean fumed, stressing that Barrott should have been directed to the pitchside monitor for a closer review.

His remarks echoed the views of Sky pundits Gary Neville, who described the tackle as a “potential leg breaker,” and Jamie Carragher, who called VAR’s inaction “shocking.” Even Everton icon Duncan Ferguson, known for his aggressive playing style, joined in at halftime, stating, “That’s a straight red all day long—could’ve snapped his leg.”

The tackle saw Tarkowski win the ball but follow through with his studs scraping Mac Allister’s calf, a challenge many considered dangerous enough to warrant a red card, as the rules classify “excessive force” or endangering an opponent as red-card offenses.

The Premier League’s position—that the contact was simply “reckless” rather than “serious foul play”—has sparked claims of inconsistency, with fans and analysts citing past incidents, such as Curtis Jones’ red card at Tottenham in 2023, as proof of VAR’s unpredictable use.

Liverpool fans on X labeled the decision “assault” and “a disgrace,” further amplifying the outrage as the match ended in a tense draw.

This latest VAR controversy adds to the growing list of issues this season, raising new questions about the technology’s role in football. For Liverpool, who saw their title push tested in a goalless first half, the incident felt like a missed opportunity for justice.

Everton, on the other hand, came close to taking the lead when Beto hit the post later in the match. As the aftermath continues, the Premier League faces increasing pressure to address VAR’s reliability or risk further undermining trust in the game’s officiating.