Lee Mason dropped from weekend fixtures after Arsenal VAR controversy

John Brooks returns from Brighton row as Gunners fourth official

Video assistant referee Lee Mason will not officiate over any Premier League games this weekend following his error during Arsenal’s draw against Brentford last Saturday.

Mason forgot to properly check an offside call in the build-up to Brentford’s equaliser, which was scored by Ivan Toney.

The error prompted Arsenal to drop two points in the title race and Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb contacted the club to apologise.

Mason, who only works as a VAR official having retired as an on-field official in 2021, will now not oversee any Premier League games this weekend.

Webb called an emergency meeting for Tuesday as Mason’s error at the weekend was not the only mistake.

VAR official John Brooks incorrectly denied Brighton a goal during their 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday because he drew the offside lines from the wrong player.

Webb, as was the case with Arsenal, contacted Brighton to “acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process”.

Brooks was stood down from VAR duties for Monday’s Merseyside derby and Wednesday’s crucial Premier League title clash between Arsenal and Manchester City, with the winner set to go top of the table.

However, he will be back in action this weekend as he has been made the fourth official for Arsenal’s trip to Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime.

Simon Hooper will referee the game at Villa Park, while Stuart Atwell will be on VAR duties.

VAR official Neil Swarbrick has also been stood down from duties this weekend following his performance during Chelsea’s draw at West Ham. Swarbick did not intervene when Tomas Soucek appeared to handle the ball after a shot from outside the box, denying Chelsea a late penatly.

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