Premier League Round Three Controversial Decisions: Head Kicked Without Punishment, Why Did VAR Not Intervene?

Controversy emerged again in Premier League Round Three: a London derby featured an unpunished kick to the head, while another handball goal being overturned raised questions.

Former Premier League referee Graham Scott responded to key weekend decisions in his role as The Athletic's refereeing expert.

Why was the head kick not punished?

Scott said he was not surprised that only a free kick was awarded for the challenge. There were many players crowded in front of goal at the time, making it almost impossible for the referee to see the entire incident clearly. Replays showed that when the attacking player stretched for the ball, possession was still contested, and the goalkeeper reached the ball first before being struck on the top of the head.

Scott believed that if the same action occurred in midfield, it would also only result in a free kick and would not be upgraded to a red or yellow card. Why did VAR not intervene?

Scott explained that referees are instructed to be more tolerant of players' actions when they are desperately trying to score or defend. This head kick incident was not a situation requiring intervention. VAR remained silent because at the moment the attacking player made contact with the ball, possession was not clearly established, and it did not constitute a clear and obvious red-card offence.

Questions over the cancelled handball goal

Another focus was Williams' handball goal being cancelled by VAR. Scott said the television replay evidence alone was not sufficient, but refereeing body Pro Ref later released an angle from the semi-automated offside system camera that proved the decision was correct. The issue was that VAR rules only allow officials to review television broadcast footage, and the independent camera from the semi-automated offside system should not have been used. Scott suggested that since this angle helped reach the correct conclusion, it was worth discussing whether VAR should continue to be restricted to broadcast footage only.

Williams will not face further punishment. Scott also compared the case with an earlier-season example involving West Brom striker Oner Hegbo, who was suspended for two matches by the Football Association after scoring a handball goal against Norwich in the Championship. He noted that Hegbo was punished because he successfully deceived match officials, while Williams' handball was ultimately cancelled by VAR and did not result in successful deception, so no additional punishment will follow.