Referees

Offside or not? We’ll never know because the linesman raised his flag too early

Real Madrid pulled off another stunning last-minute comeback victory against Bayern Munich to win 2-1 (4-3 on aggregate) in the Champions League semifinal on Wednesday. One major talking point is a late Bayern offside call.

In the dying seconds of the game with Real Madrid leading 2-1, Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt thought he’d netted a dramatic equalizer. He’d be denied as the linesman raised his flag for an offside call just before his goal.

HISTORY — Premier League referee to wear camera in Crystal Palace vs. Man United

May 6 (Reuters) - Referee Jarred Gillett will wear a camera for the first time in Premier League history during Monday's fixture between Crystal Palace and Manchester United as part of filming for a one-off program promoting match officials, the league said on Monday.

Last year, the Football Association announced it will trial body cameras on referees in grassroots leagues in England in a bid to ascertain whether the technology could help "improve participant behaviour and respect towards referees".

Kai Havertz seeking gold medal in diving at Olympics this summer with flop vs. Bournemouth

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz showed to the world that he’s a tremendous multisport athlete during his side’s 3-0 victory vs. Bournemouth on Saturday. Word on the street is that he’s eyeing up the Paris Olympics to represent Germany’s diving team.

Near the end of the first half Havertz displayed his incredible diving technique in Bournemouth’s penalty area. 

In the 42nd minute Havertz had perfect form on the “dangled leg tuck” dive only performed by the top divers in the world. He’d surely get all 10’s from the judges in Paris with a dive like this.

Watch: Coward coach sucker punches young linesman during game in Wales

A shocking video is circulating online of a cowardly attack on a young linesman during a North Wales Coast West Premier League game. Watch as this cruel coach punches linesman just doing his job.

The North Wales Police are investigating the incident according to a report from the BBC.

Coach punches linesman in Wales

Mohamed Salah was NOT HAPPY after Liverpool’s title hopes ended with 2-2 West Ham draw

LONDON — Liverpool's slim Premier League title hopes faded further on Saturday when Michail Antonio's late header earned West Ham United a deserved point with a 2-2 draw.

Liverpool, reeling from a 2-0 loss at Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday, were marginally the better side in a flat first half. The visitors had a penalty denied for an offside in the build-up before Luis Diaz hit the post.

They again conceded first, however, when Jarrod Bowen nodded home shortly before halftime, his 20th goal of the season in his 200th game for the Hammers.

Sweden set to become first top league to reject VAR

Sweden's top leagues will not look to implement a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system after clubs voiced their opposition to the technology, Swedish Football Association (SvFF) Chairman Fredrik Reinfeldt said.

VAR has consistently been at the center of controversy in leagues where it has been introduced, with complaints ranging from its extensive analysis of close offside calls to delays that often drag on for several minutes.

Sweden VAR rejection 

Man City advance to FA Cup final after controversial handball in the box not given vs. Chelsea

LONDON — Holders Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 with a late Bernardo Silva goal on Saturday to reach the FA Cup final after an absorbing end-to-end Wembley semi-final.

Silva sidefooted the ball home in the 84th minute after Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic parried a shot from former Blues midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

Xavi says referee destroyed the game vs. PSG with Araujo red card decision

BARCELONA — Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez berated the referee and said his performance cost Barcelona a chance to fight for a place in the Champions League semi-finals after they lost 4-1 to Paris Saint-Germain and were knocked out of the competition on Tuesday.

Roma defeat Milan in Europa League with goal that shouldn’t have counted but VAR couldn’t help

With VAR’s introduction to the world of soccer it’s become incredibly rare when a goal that shouldn’t count stands. That was the case on Thursday with a failed offside call during Roma’s 1-0 victory vs. AC Milan in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals.

The peculiar situation happened in the first half when Roma sprung an attack through Romelu Lukaku who appeared to be in an offside position.

Lukaku offside vs Milan

LA Galaxy fans outraged on social media after VAR decision for Bouanga’s penalty

LA Galaxy fans are not happy with the turnout of this weekend’s 'El Tráfico' result against LAFC and are blaming their loss on VAR’s poor decision to call a penalty.

LAFC defeated the Galaxy in yet another exciting edition of the Los Angeles derby on Saturday. The match held at BMO Stadium saw both squads go back and forth, with constant chances for both in the attack that resulted in a tight 2-1 victory for The Falcons at their home turf.

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