October 4th 2023.
Jan Vertonghen, the experienced Belgian centre-back who started the 2019 Champions League final for Tottenham, has cheekily backed Jurgen Klopp's call for the game between Spurs and Liverpool to be replayed. Klopp's outburst came after the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) admitted a 'significant error' in disallowing Luis Diaz's goal during the match, which Spurs went on to win 2-1.
Klopp was unconvinced by the PGMOL's audio which revealed how the blunder occurred, and said in a press conference: "I was not interested in why it happened because I knew, I saw the outcome, I saw the goal we scored and it didn't count. But as a football person I think the only outcome should be a replay, that is how it is. It probably won't happen. The argument is if we open that gate, it is so unprecedented."
Reacting to Klopp's comments, a Tottenham fan account tweeted: "If the Liverpool match gets replayed it'll set a huge precedent. See you in Madrid, Jurgen!" To which Vertonghen replied: "Count me in!"
The chances of either match getting replayed are miniscule, but this has reignited discussion around the best use of VAR. Whilst Vertonghen is now playing for his native club Anderlecht, he made 315 appearances for Spurs over an eight-year spell.
The Diaz incident is not the only refereeing decision that has been controversial in recent years, as Spurs fans are still aggrieved at the manner in which they lost the 2019 Champions League final to Liverpool. They were awarded a penalty after just 24 seconds when Moussa Sissoko handballed in the box, which some felt was very harsh, with Liverpool going on to win 2-0.
No matter the outcome, it looks like it's unlikely that the 2019 Champions League final will be replayed. However, it's clear that this whole incident has sparked a lot of debate and discussion on how VAR should be used in the future.
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