What VAR official was really looking at as 'FPL' accusation goes viral during Arsenal vs Liverpool

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The device in the Video Assistant Referee’s hub had the Premier League Match Manager app open, not Fantasy Premier League, it has been confirmed.

A picture of the hub for Arsenal's clash against Liverpool went viral on social media on Sunday night, with some fans thinking a screen showed an official playing FPL while at work.

This is what fans spotted on Sunday

X:@TheSportsman

But now, it's been reported it was the Premier League Match Manager app is regularly used in the VAR hub, not FPL.

ESPN journalist Dale Johnson wrote on X: "This is the Premier League Match Manager app, not Fantasy Premier League.

"There are, of course, no personal devices in the VAR hub."

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) have been under the spotlight once again over the last couple of weeks.

In Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth earlier this month, the body insisted chief Howard Webb had nothing to do with William Saliba getting sent off after a VAR review.

This was despite TV cameras showing him looking at his phone during the decision.

West Ham were then handed a controversial penalty in added time against Manchester United, with Jarrod Bowen stepping up to convert the winner.

Bruno Fernandes and Matthijs de Ligt were both left incensed by the decision.

Then, in the game that saw the 'FPL' image go viral, Arsenal fans also felt hard done by by the officials.

With the game entering into added time with the score at 2-2, Curtis Jones fluffed a clearance, leaving Jakub Kiwior to beat Dominik Szoboszlai in the air.

Jesus got booked for dissent after complaining about Taylor’s decision

Getty

Kai Havertz then controlled the ball ahead of Ibrahim Konate.

But Anthony Taylor blew the whistle to bring play back for his delayed decision on what he deemed to be Szoboszlai's foul.

Arsenal continued unaware, but despite Gabriel Jesus finding the net, VAR could not intervene to review a potential goal as Taylor had blown the whistle before the ball crossed the line.

The Gunners players and fans were both furious with the decision to not allow play to go on.

Player of The Match Bukayo Saka did score a record-breaking goal on Sunday, though, with Virgil van Dijk, Mikel Merino and Mohamed Salah also getting on the scoresheet.

Here’s how the table looks now