Why Liverpool cannot sue the Premier League — Lawyer

Tottenham vs. Liverpool still continues to draw narratives and questions, owing to the controversy that transpired from the error laden tie between both opponents in week 7 match-up.

Questions such as the possibility of the Merseyside team replaying the fixture again, or worse, seeking legal charges against the PGMOL or the Premier League in general for the 2-1 defeat.

This is spurred on by the possibility that the fixture could at the end of the season determine where Liverpool ends the season, be it in Champions League spot or as a premier league champions after Luis Diaz‘s first half goal was wrongfully canceled from the VAR room.

Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, has called for the match to be replayed, but Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has firmly rejected this idea. However, the legal feasibility of such actions has now come into question.

Prominent sports lawyer Oliver Millichap, from Mishcon de Reya, explained that it would be “extremely difficult” for Liverpool to pursue legal action in this matter. Millichap highlighted several key reasons why such a challenge would face hurdles.

Firstly, the laws of the game clearly stipulate that the referee’s decision on the pitch is final, and match officials are not held liable for any loss a club may suffer due to decisions made in accordance with these laws.

Additionally, the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) rules related to VAR state that a match will not be invalidated due to a match official’s decision not to review an incident or when a wrong decision is reached with the use of VAR.

Millichap did acknowledge that if a similar incident occurred towards the end of the season and had a significant impact on a club’s campaign, such as missing out on the Champions League or the title, it might prompt an attempt to bring a claim, possibly against the Premier League.

However, he expressed skepticism about the chances of success in such a scenario.

He pointed out that in other sports, challenges to “field of play decisions” have typically succeeded only when there is evidence of fraud, bad faith, bias, arbitrariness, or corruption.

Millichap expected a similar principle to be applied by any arbitral panel should a club decide to pursue legal action in the future.

Tottenham vs. Liverpool could be replayed — Lawyer says