Massive controversy has erupted in the aftermath of Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on February 11, 2026, after reports surfaced that VAR officials admitted a significant error in not awarding Virgil van Dijk a clear penalty during the match. The incident has dominated discussions among fans, pundits, and media outlets, with claims that a referee involved has issued an apology for the “VAR failure,” further fueling outrage over officiating standards in the Premier League.
The key moment in question occurred in the second half, shortly before or around the time of van Dijk’s decisive 61st-minute header from Mohamed Salah’s corner. Replays and fan analyses circulating online show van Dijk appearing to be fouled inside the penalty area—potentially involving a push, pull, or contact from a Sunderland defender while positioning for an aerial challenge or during a separate phase of play. On-field referee Chris Kavanagh waved away strong appeals from Liverpool players and the bench, and VAR official Darren England upheld the decision after a review, deeming it not a “clear and obvious error.”
However, post-match developments have shifted the narrative dramatically. According to breaking reports and social media buzz (including viral clips and discussions on platforms like X and fan forums), PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) or related authorities have privately or semi-officially acknowledged the mistake. Sources close to the situation indicate that VAR admitted the contact on van Dijk met the threshold for a penalty, describing it as a regrettable oversight in the heat of the game. In an unprecedented move for such a recent fixture, a referee (speculated to be Kavanagh or a VAR team member) has reportedly apologized directly or through official channels to Liverpool FC, acknowledging the blunder and its potential impact on the tightly contested match.
This admission has sent shockwaves across social media, with Liverpool supporters labeling it “another robbery” and pointing to a pattern of contentious decisions involving Kavanagh this season—including the disallowed van Dijk header against Manchester City in November 2025 (ruled offside due to Andy Robertson’s positioning) and a non-awarded penalty against Leeds earlier. Arne Slot, already vocal about Kavanagh’s record against his side, is expected to address the issue in upcoming press conferences, potentially escalating calls for greater accountability.
The apology, if confirmed in full detail (as teased in “Match Officials Mic’d Up” previews or PGMOL statements), marks a rare public or semi-public concession from officials. It echoes past high-profile VAR gaffes, such as the Luis Díaz offside error in 2023, but stands out for involving a penalty claim on the captain in a crucial away win. Neutral observers and ex-referees have weighed in mixedly: some defend the on-field call as subjective (e.g., mutual contact or not “clear and obvious”), while others, including Keith Hackett in related commentary on the game’s physicality, have criticized broader inconsistencies that “tarnish” the Premier League.
Despite the off-field storm, the result stands—van Dijk’s header secured three vital points, helping Liverpool capitalize on slip-ups from rivals like Chelsea and maintain pressure in the race for Champions League qualification. The win was hard-fought amid injuries (notably Wataru Endo’s serious ankle issue) and a resilient Sunderland performance, but the focus has shifted squarely to officiating integrity.
Fans are demanding transparency, with calls for the full VAR audio (similar to prior releases) and potential reviews. As one viral post summed it up: “They apologize now, but the damage is done—how many more times?” PGMOL is likely to feature this in an upcoming explanations segment, but for Liverpool, the controversy underscores ongoing frustrations with VAR and refereeing consistency at a pivotal stage of the season.
This latest twist adds another layer to what has been a dramatic week for the Reds, from Endo’s injury scare to this officiating bombshell. The three points are safe, but the debate rages on.
