Fans were convinced that VAR officials were caught checking their Fantasy Football teams but an expert has now revealed what was actually going on.
During Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool, an image began circulating social media which lead to fans thinking that officials were checking their FPL (Fantasy Premier League) account.
A screenshot from Sky Sports’ coverage on Sunday showed inside the VAR Hub at Stockley Park – with a mobile phone boasting Premier League branding spotted in the corner.
Many believed, due to the colour scheme and layout of the app, that it was the Premier League’s official Fantasy Football app however the truth has now been revealed.
According to ESPN expert Dale Johnson, it was a different app – used to record match details and for communications during matchdays – that was spotted.
A screenshot from Sky Sports’ coverage on Sunday went viral as it showed inside the VAR Hub
Fans were convinced that VAR officials were caught out checking their Fantasy Football teams
Taking to X, Johnson wrote: ‘This is the Premier League Match Manager app, not Fantasy Premier League.
‘There are, of course, no personal devices in the VAR Hub.’
There was plenty of officiating drama throughout the match, with Arsenal fans adamant that Virgil van Dijk should have been sent off during Sunday’s 2-2 draw.
In the sixth minute, with the game still tied at 0-0, Van Dijk collected the ball from Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher before passing it left to Andy Robertson.
After the ball had gone, Van Dijk pushed Havertz away using his right hand. The former Southampton defender then appeared to aggressively and deliberately thrust his left leg into the Arsenal forward.
Referee Anthony Taylor awarded a free-kick but did not issue Van Dijk with a card.
However, it was later explained that it was, instead, the Premier League Manager app
The image went viral during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with title rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon
Reacting to Van Dijk’s foul, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said: ‘He was stupid, Van Dijk. He’s just got involved in a little tussle and sort of backed in to him.’
While watching a replay, Neville added: ‘A little elbow and then that. Oh yeah, he kicks out at him as well. Silly. He doesn’t really need to do it’.
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), one fumed: ‘How the F*** has Van Dijk got away with that???? Not even a yellow card for hitting and kicking out at someone off the ball????’.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s incident proved to be the latest VAR conspiracy after fans were convinced Howard Webb influenced William Saliba’s red card during Arsenal’s defeat at Bournemouth.
Arsenal fans felt VAR should have intervened for Virgil van Dijk’s challenge on Kai Havertz
Last week, the Frenchman was sent off in the first half for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity after a tug on Evanilson close to the halfway line.
Saliba had been initially booked for the foul but the decision was overturned after referee Rob Jones was recommended to do an on field review.
Sky cameras showed Webb, who was sat in the stands, using his phone and an earpiece as VAR reviewed the incident.
However, PGMOL say the referee’s chief was listening to the communication between officials and had no involvement in the decision to send Saliba off, as per the Times.
