JUST IN: REFEREE Michael Salisbury to be Sanctioned After Wrongly Disallowing Fulham Fc Goal Vs Chealsea, “A Mistake That Changed Everything”
I never imagined that a single VAR intervention could lead to this. On August 30, 2025, during Chelsea vs. Fulham, I instructed referee Rob Jones to review what seemed like a potential foul by Rodrigo Muniz on Trevoh Chalobah. The result: a brilliantly taken goal by Josh King was disallowed. That decision didn’t meet the “clear and obvious error” threshold set by PGMOL — an error they’ve since officially acknowledged. As a direct consequence, I have been removed from my assignment as VAR for the Liverpool vs. Arsenal match the following day, with John Brooks stepping in TalkSportSky Sports.
I accept the consequences, and I own the mistake. VAR’s role is to correct truly obvious errors—not to become part of the debate. I let my judgment slip into interpretation rather than clarity, and for that, I’m deeply sorry to Fulham, to the fans, and to my fellow officials.
Criticism from figures like Marco Silva, who called the decision “unbelievable,” and from pundits across media, was warranted The GuardianTalkSport. This episode underscores how crucial restraint is in officiating: sometimes the best move is to let the on-field decision stand.
