Salisbury has now been removed from his role as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the upcoming blockbuster game between Liverpool and Arsenal.
Soccer fans always love the drama that happens on the field — goals, saves, last-minute winners, and even shocking red cards. But sometimes, the drama comes from the referees and the technology they use to make big decisions. This week in the Premier League, a lot of attention has turned toward referee Michael Salisbury after a controversial moment in Chelsea’s 2–0 win over Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
Because of that mistake, Salisbury has now been removed from his role as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the upcoming blockbuster game between Liverpool and Arsenal. That match is scheduled for Sunday evening, and it’s already one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season.
Let’s break it down in a middle school–friendly way so you can understand what really happened, why this decision is so big, and what it means for the world of soccer.
What Exactly Happened in the Chelsea vs Fulham Game?
During the London derby at Stamford Bridge, Fulham thought they had scored the opening goal in the 22nd minute. Their striker, Josh King, put the ball into the net and celebrated what looked like a huge moment against their West London rivals.
But then the drama started. Salisbury, who was working as the VAR, asked the on-field referee Rob Jones to take another look. Salisbury said there had been a foul by Josh King on Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah in the buildup to the goal.
The referee ended up canceling the goal, and the score stayed 0–0. Fulham players were furious because they felt it was a soft foul — not enough to rule out such an important goal. The game went on, and Chelsea took advantage. They ended up winning 2–0, leaving Fulham frustrated and fans asking questions.
PGMOL Admits the Decision Was a Mistake
After the match, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (better known as PGMOL), which is the body in charge of referees in English football, admitted that the decision was a mistake. Howard Webb, the head of PGMOL, said the foul wasn’t clear enough to take the goal away.
In soccer, VAR is only supposed to overturn a decision if there is a “clear and obvious error.” That means if the referee makes a tiny judgment call — like a small push or a 50/50 tackle — VAR is not supposed to step in. Instead, those are left to the referee’s interpretation on the field.
Webb admitted that Salisbury should have stayed out of it, because the incident was more of a “referee’s call” and not a black-and-white error.
This kind of honesty is rare in soccer, but Webb has been trying to make refereeing in the Premier League more transparent. Fans often get angry when referees make mistakes, but admitting them can help restore a little bit of trust.
Salisbury Gets Removed From Liverpool vs Arsenal
Because of this mistake, Salisbury has been replaced for the huge Liverpool vs Arsenal game. Originally, he was supposed to be the VAR, but now that role will go to referee Chris Kavanagh instead.
This may sound like a small change, but it’s actually a big deal. Liverpool vs Arsenal is one of the most important games of the season, not just for the fans but also for the Premier League title race. Both teams are chasing top spots, and every single decision can make a massive difference.
PGMOL clearly wanted to avoid more controversy in such a high-profile game.
Why Liverpool vs Arsenal Is Such a Huge Match
This game isn’t just any regular Premier League clash. Liverpool and Arsenal are two of the biggest clubs in England, with millions of fans all around the world. When they face off, it’s almost always full of drama, goals, and unforgettable moments.
Here are a few quick facts to give you an idea of how big this game is:
Liverpool has won the English league title 19 times and has 6 European Cups (Champions League trophies), more than any other English club.
Arsenal has won the Premier League three times and is famous for going an entire season unbeaten in 2003–04, a record known as “The Invincibles.”
The two clubs have faced each other over 230 times in history. Liverpool has had the upper hand recently, but Arsenal has been improving quickly under manager Mikel Arteta.
In 2019, these two teams had one of the wildest games ever in the League Cup, ending 5–5 before Liverpool won on penalties.
With so much history between them, you can see why even referee appointments make the headlines!
Why VAR Is Always in the Spotlight
VAR, which stands for Video Assistant Referee, was introduced to the Premier League in 2019. The idea was to help referees make better decisions on key moments like goals, offsides, penalties, and red cards.
But here’s the catch: instead of solving every problem, VAR often creates new drama. Fans complain about how long it takes, how it sometimes changes the flow of the game, and how it isn’t always consistent.
For example:
In 2020, a VAR decision ruled out a last-minute goal for Sheffield United because a player’s toe was offside. That left fans arguing for weeks.
In 2023, VAR officials admitted to making an error when Tottenham’s Luis Díaz had a goal wrongly disallowed against Liverpool — another huge controversy.
So, while VAR was supposed to bring fairness, it has instead become one of the most debated parts of modern soccer.
What This Means Moving Forward
For Michael Salisbury, this is a tough moment. Referees don’t like to be in the spotlight, and when they make mistakes, it can affect their chances of being picked for big matches.
For Liverpool and Arsenal, it means Sunday’s game will have a different VAR official, hopefully one who avoids controversy. And for fans, it’s another reminder that in soccer, referees and VAR can sometimes be just as important as the players on the pitch.
A Combo of Soccer News You Should Know
Since we’re talking about big Premier League drama, here are a few other soccer stories making waves this week:
Manchester City Chase Another Title: Pep Guardiola’s team continues to look strong, but rivals like Arsenal and Liverpool are keeping the pressure on.
Transfer Market Madness: Big names like Kylian Mbappé and Victor Osimhen are being linked with huge moves next summer.
Champions League Returns Soon: Teams like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan are preparing for another exciting campaign in Europe.
Final Thoughts
The story of Michael Salisbury being removed as VAR before Liverpool vs Arsenal shows how important refereeing decisions have become in modern soccer. One mistake in a game between Chelsea and Fulham might not seem huge at first, but it was big enough for PGMOL to act quickly.
Soccer is about passion, goals, and competition — but it’s also about fairness. That’s why referees, VAR, and organizations like PGMOL are always under pressure to get things right.
As for fans, all we want is to enjoy the beautiful game without too much interference. Hopefully, Sunday’s Liverpool vs Arsenal clash will be remembered for great goals and exciting play — not for refereeing controversy.
