Premier League set to impose three-match ban on Taiwo Awoniyi

The Premier League is grappling with a self-inflicted issue involving the use of VAR, which has been causing embarrassment. Gary Neville, a Premier League veteran and pundit, expressed his confusion when Erling Haaland's derby-winning goal was incorrectly allowed by VAR despite Haaland being in an offside position. This wasn't the first time VAR had let the team down; last season, there were 25 errors according to BBC Sport, up from 18 the previous season.

Arsenal and Chelsea benefited from seven and eight errors respectively, while six mistakes involved failing to issue red cards when warranted. Despite various attempts to improve VAR usage, the same mistakes keep recurring, leaving fans and players questioning the technology's effectiveness. The fundamental problem lies in the operators' inability to grasp basic rules and apply them consistently during game-changing incidents.

Despite attempts to rectify the situation through semi-automated offsides and stricter scrutiny of second yellows, the core issue remains. The Premier League's reputation suffers with each admission of error, and even victories can't shield teams from scrutiny. Referees face immense pressure, and their mistakes are never far from the headlines.

As the cycle of error, apology, and review continues, it's clear that the Premier League's credibility hangs in the balance.