Howard Webb told to sack VAR chief Mason by ex-Prem ref after nightmare weekend
Head of the PGMOL Howard Webb has been told to sack Lee Mason after his blunder during Arsenal's 1-1 draw against Brentford on Saturday.
Mason was on VAR duties at Stockley Park when the Gunners controversially dropped two points in their bid for the title. The 51-year-old retired from on-field refereeing and has since taken up a permanent role on VAR but was found to have failed when looking into Brentford's late equaliser.
It was revealed after the match the goal should have been ruled out for offside when Christian Norgaard headed the ball across the box for Toney to nod past Ramsdale. After a three-minute wait while VAR checked whether Norgaard was onside, it was found that the goal would stand.
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However, there were a lot of surprised faces as the goal stood, with Mason judging Ethan Pinnock to be onside, but having not drawn the lines to check whether Norgaard was in a legal position.
The gaffe has led to the PGMOL apologising due to "human error". Former Premier League Keith Hackett has now spoken out about the woeful decision.
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Hackett, who spent more than two decades refereeing in the English top flight, has told Webb to sack Mason after his error, reports the Express.
He said: "Howard Webb is now in charge of the PGMOL. 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."
Mason was previously under scrutiny for two more blunders in as many years. In 2021, he incorrectly overturned two red cards during a game between West Ham and Southampton.
As a result, he stepped down from VAR duties but later returned. But he was at the centre of controversy again earlier this season.
After Newcastle United thought they had netted a late winner against Crystal Palace in September, Mason incorrectly informed referee Michael Salisbury that it should be disallowed for a foul.
On Sunday, a PGMOL statement read: "PGMOL can confirm its chief refereeing officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday.
"Both incidents, which were due to human error and related to the analysis of offside situations, are being thoroughly reviewed by PGMOL."
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