Mar 1, 2026, 05:00 PM
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Video assistant referee causes controversy every week in the Premier League, but how are decisions made and are they correct?
This season, we take a look at the major incidents to examine and explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.
Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee, with over 12 seasons on the elite list, working across the Premier League and Championship. With extensive experience at the elite level, he has operated within the VAR space in the Premier League and offers a unique insight into the processes, rationale and protocols that are delivered on a Premier League matchday.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
VAR: Tony Harrington
Time: 52nd minute
Incident: Penalty and possible Red Card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO)
After scoring the opener at Manchester United, Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix conceded a penalty and was sent off for a foul. Was it the correct decision? Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images
What happened: Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes played a brilliant ball into attacker Matheus Cunha, who had turned Palace defender Maxence Lacroix and was heading towards goal. Lacroix -- whose fourth-minute goal had given Palace the lead at Old Trafford -- grabbed the shoulder of Cunha who went to ground and referee Chris Kavanagh quickly pointed to the spot. VAR confirmed the penalty, however also recommended an on-field review (OFR) for a possible red card to Lacroix for DOGSO.
VAR decision: After VAR review, the referee overturned his original decision of no red card to Lacroix. Kavanagh announced to the crowd: "After review, Crystal Palace No. 5 commits a clear holding offence which denies a clear, obvious, goal-scoring opportunity. The final decision is a penalty and red card."
A HUGE refereeing decision ends with a penalty to Man United and red card for Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix. 👀 pic.twitter.com/k7064Skgu9
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 1, 2026
VAR review: The first check for VAR was to confirm that a foul had been committed by the Palace defender and that its location was inside the penalty area. The pull was clear, starting outside the area and continuing into the box, meaning that the on-field decision of penalty was cleared. Secondly, the review focused on whether the foul stopped Cunha having a clear opportunity to score a goal. VAR considerations in this situation would be:
- Distance from goal
- Direction of play
- Attackers' likelihood of retaining possession of the ball
The key to reviewing this type of incident is pausing the footage at the exact point the foul contact occurs. Sometimes allowing the footage to continue to run gives a false picture that the ball is out of playing distance for the attacker, which can alter a DOGSO judgement outcome.
VAR Harrington felt these circumstances met all the criteria for a DOGSO and recommended an on-field review. Once at the screen, referee Kavanagh agreed with VAR's judgement of the incident and sent Lacroix off.
Fernandes converted the penalty and eight minutes later, with Palace reduced to 10 men, Benjamin Sesko scored what proved to be the winning goal that sent United up to third in the Premier League table.
Verdict: Correct on-field decision by Kavanagh to award the penalty and good intervention from VAR to recommend a red card for DOGSO. Once on the wrong side of the defender, Cunha has a clear path toward goal with his next touch likely to be a shot on goal.
The nature of the challenge by Lacroix was the determining factor in what sanction he received for committing the offence. An upper-body holding offence, with no attempt or opportunity to play or win the ball, is still a red card. However, an attempt to challenge for a ball, where there is an opportunity to be successful, would result in a yellow card only. Good decision and process from the referee and VAR.