VAR Referee Lee Mason Loses Job Following Error Against Arsenal

Lee Mason, a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the Premier League, has resigned from his role by mutual consent, according to SportsMail.

This decision came a week after Mason made a significant mistake during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brentford, leading to Ivan Toney’s goal being allowed despite Christian Norgaard being offside.

Mason’s error caused frustration and anger from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who considered the mistake to be potentially costly in their race against Manchester City for the Premier League title.

Since then, Arsenal lost 3-1 to Manchester City on Wednesday and are now in second place.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which oversees referees in the English Premier League, has not released any official statement regarding Mason’s resignation.

However, reports state that his departure was by mutual consent, which means that both parties agreed on the decision.

Mason has been a VAR for the Premier League since the introduction of the technology in 2019. Before his resignation, he had officiated in 19 Premier League games this season. His role as a VAR has been under scrutiny for a while, with some football fans criticizing his decisions during several matches.

The incident during the Arsenal-Brentford game resulted in a lot of backlash towards the technology and the officials who handle it. The PGMOL faced pressure from fans and players to improve their officiating, and this incident may have influenced Mason’s resignation.

The PGMOL has not released any official statement regarding his departure. Mason’s decision has caused fans and players to question the technology and the officials who handle it, and it remains to be seen who will replace him in his role.