The VAR Review: Jesus penalty; handballs by Saliba, McTominay

Onuoha, Laurens react to Saliba’s penalty vs. Chelsea (1:17)

Video Assistant Referee causes controversy every week in the Premier League, but how are decisions made, and are they correct?

After each weekend, we take a look at the major incidents to examine and explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.

– How VAR decisions have affected every Prem club in 2023-24

– VAR in the Premier League: Ultimate guide

In this week’s VAR Review: Should Robert Sánchez have conceded a penalty for his challenge on Gabriel Jesus? Plus handball decisions involving William Saliba, Michael Keane and Scott McTominay.

Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal

Possible penalty: Sanchez on Jesus

What happened: Arsenal won a free kick on the right in the 60th minute. Martin Ødegaard delivered into the area and the ball was met by Takehiro Tomiyasu, who headed over the bar. However, goalkeeper Robert Sánchez had rushed out and collided with Gabriel Jesus when trying to punch the aerial ball. Referee Chris Kavanagh restarted play with a goal kick to Chelsea.

VAR decision: No penalty.

Gabriel Jesus is knocked to the ground by Robert Sanchez. Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

VAR review: Understandably, Arsenal fans have argued that the challenge is no different to that of Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana on Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Sasa Kalajdzic. That incident came in the final moments of the opening game of the season at Old Trafford, with the VAR failing to intervene and advise a penalty kick. It led to PGMOL acknowledging that an error had been made and a spot kick should have been awarded.

But there are differences that certainly mean PGMOL won’t react as they did to Onana, by taking the referee and VAR off the next round of games.

Robert Sanchez failed to get the ball as he rushed out to punch. BBC

The VAR must decide whether the goalkeeper is making a genuine attempt to play the ball. That, of course, doesn’t mean a goalkeeper can play in a reckless manner — which many will feel Sanchez did and it could easily have been given. Unlike Onana it’s more of a borderline situation, in terms of how VAR is applied for a clear and obvious error. Sanchez collides with a group of players, including Jesus and his own teammates, in trying to punch clear.

There was also some holding of the shirt on Tomiyasu by Thiago Silva, but certainly not enough for a penalty.

While Onana was initially trying to play the ball, the Manchester United goalkeeper had become aware he had no chance of winning it and pulled Kalajdzic to the ground with both arms. It was an additional action to foul an opponent after failing to win an aerial ball.

Andre Onana wrapped his arms around Sasa Kalajdzic and dragged him to the ground.

Each week, the VAR Review has many incidents that have created a big reaction on social media and among pundits. When these are assessed by the Independent Key Match Incidents Panel within the framework of the laws, few are judged to be errors. Indeed, in the past week before the international break there were a series of controversial situations — including red cards for Pascal Groß and Mateo Kovacic, and a penalty against Matt Doherty — but no VAR errors were logged.

Possible red card: Palmer challenge on Jesus

What happened: Cole Palmer was booked in the eighth minute after catching Jesus with a late challenge. But should the referee have shown the red card? The VAR initiated a check.

VAR decision: No red card.

Cole Palmer stands on Gabriel Jesus after the ball has gone. Telemundo

VAR review: This clearly wasn’t a good tackle from the Chelsea midfielder but it certainly doesn’t reach the threshold for a VAR intervention for a red card.

The contact was low, not above the ankle, and without excessive force. A yellow card was an acceptable disciplinary outcome and the Independent Key Match Incidents Panel will certainly support it. Indeed, the panel said Kovacic’s tackle on Ødegaard was not a clear and obvious error for the VAR to intervene with a red card — though referee Michael Oliver should have made the decision on-field, both for the initial red and the possible second yellow card.

Possible penalty: Handball by Saliba

What happened: Raheem Sterling crossed the ball into the 11th minute, with Mykhailo Mudryk attempting to get a header on goal under pressure from William Saliba. Chelsea players demanded a penalty when the ball hit the Arsenal defender, but referee Kavanagh played on.

VAR decision: Penalty, scored by Palmer.

VAR review: It’s one where the intended application of the law and what fans feel is fair collide. But we now have several examples to show how such decisions are judged.