PGMOL chief Howard Webb has been told he should sack Lee Mason after his major VAR error in the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Brentford. Late into Saturday evening Mason's error came to light with The Daily Mail revealing he had forgot to draw on the relevant lines when reviewing Brentford's equaliser.
The Gunners had taken the lead in the 66th minute when Leandro Trossard latched onto Bukayo Saka's cross to score his first goal since signing in January. Ivan Toney then scored the equaliser eight minutes later nodding into an open goal after Christian Norgaard's clever cutback.
At the time, VAR spent several minutes looking at the goal but instead focused on the role of Ethan Pinnock in the build up, failing to recognise Norgaard, who provided the assist for Toney, was offside. On Sunday the PGMOL released a statement which read: “PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday.”
READ NEXT: PGMOL chief Howard Webb contacts Arsenal following VAR blunder during crucial Brentford clash
Mason, who is a dedicated VAR after retiring from on-pitch refereeing, has faced significant scrutiny for his decisions at Stockley Park before. Earlier this season he incorrectly disallowed a Newcastle winner against Crystal Palace two years after he was stood down from VAR duties after incorrectly overturning two red cards during a game between West Ham and Southampton
His latest huge error, which could greatly impact Arsenal's Premier League title hopes, has seen criticism once again come his way with former Premier League referee Keith Hackett telling Howard Webb to sack him.
“Howard Webb is now in charge of the PGMOL," he said. "One of the first things he should do is dismiss permanent VAR operator Lee Mason.
“This weekend, Mason lets another referee down by not disallowing the Brentford goal for offside. These are decisions that VAR should get right.”
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