The Premier League's Independent Key Match Incidents Panel has ruled that VAR's decision to award Newcastle's winning goal against Arsenal on Saturday was correct - but admitted officials made two key errors.
The Magpies' 1-0 win over Arsenal was marred by VAR, who took centre stage when Anthony Gordon tucked the ball into an empty net at St James' Park.
The game was stopped for officials to check three separate incidents in the lead-up to the goal.
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At first glance, the ball initially looked to have run out of play before Joe Willock curled in a cross to the danger area, but VAR ruled that there was 'inconclusive evidence', before checking for a foul on Gabriel Magalhaes.
After that was deemed legal, officials looked into an offside against Gordon before referee Stuart Atwell was eventually given the green light to award the goal.
After the full-time whistle, Arteta slammed VAR and the Premier League for their inconsistencies, claiming that he felt "embarrassed" to be a pat of the league.
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An independent review has since confirmed that officials were right to award the goal, according to ESPN.
The report claims that the committee voted 4-1 in favour of the goal, stating that "although Joelinton does have his hands on Gabriel, there isn't enough to award a foul as Gabriel had made an action to play the ball before any contact," while also ruling there was insufficient evidence to disallow the goal based on the two factual offences.
However, the panel unanimously agreed that Kai Havertz should have been shown a red card for his reckless challenge on Sean Longstaff in the 36th minute, stating it was "a very dangerous challenge and the type of tackle that needs to be eradicated."
Meanwhile they agreed, via a 3-2 split decision, that Bruno Guimarães' elbow to the head of Arsenal's Jorginho on the stroke of half-time should have also resulted in a sending off.
Topics: Arsenal, Newcastle United, Football, Premier League, VAR
Joe Adams