NAIROBI, Kenya - Liverpool Football Club has formally contacted the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body overseeing referees in English football, to raise significant concerns over the disallowed goal by captain Virgil van Dijk during their 3-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, 9 November 2025. The incident, which occurred at the Etihad Stadium, has since become a major talking point for football enthusiasts globally, including the fiercely passionate and vocal Kenyan supporter base.

The controversy unfolded shortly before halftime with Manchester City leading 1-0 through an Erling Haaland goal. Van Dijk met a Mohamed Salah corner with a powerful header that found the back of the net, seemingly levelling the score at a crucial juncture in the match. However, the on-field referee, Chris Kavanagh, disallowed the goal for offside, a decision that was subsequently upheld by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Michael Oliver.

The official explanation provided by the Premier League stated that Liverpool's Andrew Robertson, who was in an offside position, was "deemed to be making an obvious action directly in front of the goalkeeper" by ducking as the ball went past him. Liverpool, however, contests this interpretation. The club has argued that the decision does not align with the criteria outlined in Law 11 of the game, which governs offside offences. In their communication with PGMOL chief Howard Webb, Liverpool asserted that after reviewing all available footage, they believe goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma's line of vision was not obstructed and his ability to play the ball was not impacted.

Local Impact and Global Debate

The fallout from the decision resonates deeply within Kenya, where the English Premier League commands a massive following. Viewing centres from Nairobi to Mombasa were filled with fans whose celebrations were abruptly cut short, leading to heated debates online and offline. The incident highlights a broader frustration with VAR that is shared by many local fans, who often draw parallels between officiating controversies in Europe and challenges within African football leagues.

Such high-profile moments in the Premier League often dominate Kenyan sports discussions for days, influencing everything from social media trends to the high-stakes sports betting industry. The perception of inconsistency in VAR's application is a recurring theme, with a 2020 YouGov survey finding that a majority of fans felt the technology made matches less enjoyable. While PGMOL has stated that VAR errors are decreasing, contentious decisions in top-tier matches continue to fuel the debate over the technology's role in the sport.

Liverpool's complaint is not an appeal of the match result, which was sealed by further goals from Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku, but rather a formal request for clarification on the decision-making process. The club believes the VAR should have recommended an on-field review by the referee to assess the subjective nature of the interference.

The PGMOL is committed to greater transparency and dialogue with clubs and has previously released audio from VAR discussions to explain controversial decisions. However, the body has also backed its officials on subjective calls in the past. The outcome of this latest inquiry will be closely watched by clubs and fans alike, including those across East Africa, as it could have implications for the future application of VAR and the ongoing quest for consistency in football officiating.