Why was Wirtz's goal given onside through VAR?
- Published
It is a little known fact but there has been a 5cm tolerance in VAR offside technology since the start of 2021-22.
It was added because of inaccuracies in the technology. Think of it as giving the benefit of the doubt to the attacker.
So goals that are very marginally offside can be given onside through VAR – regardless of the on-field decision.
At the time, referees' body Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) estimated it could lead to an additional 20 goals a season.
When semi-automated offside came in the other top flights like Germany, Spain and Italy removed the tolerance level. The new tech was seen as more accurate.
England opted to keep the tolerance level feeling it was more in the spirit of the game.
Yet Wirtz looked more than 5cm offside when he scored in Liverpool's 2-2 draw at Fulham on Sunday, so why was the goal allowed? It is all about frame choice.
There is no chip in the ball in any league, only in tournaments like the World Cup and the Euros. So the VAR is offered three frames and chooses the first which shows contact in the act of playing the ball. It is not when the ball leaves the foot.
In Wirtz's case, the VAR has chosen one frame, and TV broadcasters the next frame. Wirtz is more clearly offside in the second one.
Conor Bradley played the pass to Wirtz. His boots are dark in the front half, not fully white. This can be misleading.
Unlike in other competitions, the animation in the Premier League is not knitted to real-life footage. This means the chosen frame is not clear.
Why does the animation not move in line with the players? It is the tolerance level again. Otherwise a player given onside could break through the line.
Offside or onside? Pick your frame.
