The incident occurred in the 89th minute with the score still 0-0. Forest defender Ola Aina attempted a clearance under pressure, but the ball deflected off Mac Allister’s elbow in an accidental manner and looped past goalkeeper Stefan Ortega into the net. Referee Anthony Taylor initially awarded the goal, but after a VAR review by Paul Tierney, it was overturned for handball, as the ball struck Mac Allister’s arm (below the sleeve line) before entering the goal. Under Premier League rules, direct involvement in a goal via handball leads to disallowance regardless of intent.
Post-match, PGMOL admitted a significant error in the intervention threshold—the deflection was deemed incidental and not sufficiently “clear and obvious” to overturn the on-field decision. Mac Allister later commented that while he understood the rule, the goal “should have stood” based on football common sense.
In a surprising escalation, UEFA—exercising its oversight on officiating standards in competitions involving European-qualified teams—has reportedly suspended the VAR team (including Tierney and supporting staff) pending a full investigation. The suspension bars them from duties in upcoming domestic and continental matches, with sources indicating it could last several weeks or more depending on findings. This move follows growing criticism of VAR consistency across Europe and is seen as UEFA signaling zero tolerance for decisions that impact high-profile games.
The suspension has intensified the debate surrounding the match. Liverpool ultimately won thanks to Mac Allister’s 97th-minute strike, but many fans and pundits argue the earlier disallowance robbed the game of a legitimate goal and forced unnecessary late drama. Social media reactions range from calls for permanent changes to officiating protocols to questions about why UEFA is intervening in a Premier League fixture.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb, already conducting an internal review, now faces added pressure from UEFA’s involvement. The incident adds to a season already marked by multiple high-profile VAR controversies, including those in Chelsea’s recent matches.
Liverpool secured three vital points in their push for silverware, but the suspension ensures the Mac Allister goal debate will continue long after the final whistle. Whether it leads to broader reforms or remains a one-off sanction, the decision has placed renewed focus on transparency, consistency, and accountability in video refereeing across European football.
