Mike Dean owns up to error in Arsenal-West Brom draw

On the eve of the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to English football, referees' chief Mike Riley, in an interview with the 'Daily Express', has confirmed that Mike Dean admits to making the wrong decision and that VAR can be used as a 'safety net' to avoid injustices in the future. 

'You award the penalty because what you have seen on the pitch is the arm coming towards the ball. What is handball can look to you on the field of play if you get one look at it. But immediately there is evidence from another camera angle which shows actually the opposite happened. That is the safety net of the VAR.'

Riley goes on to say, 'I think Chambers would have been overturned. The question you ask is, is it an act of deliberate handball? And the reverse angle shows him trying to bring his arm out of the way of the ball, rather than the reverse. I know Mike would have overturned it. He messages people, and he's a very honest guy, and he goes, 'I got it wrong'. He knows he did.'

This admission comes after the Arsenal manager was reprimanded with a three-match touchline ban and a £40,000 fine for his outburst against the decision. The good news for Wenger though is that VAR will be trialled in his team's upcoming match against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday night. It comes after the technology's first trial in the FA Cup tonight, in the clash between Brighton Albion and Crystal Palace. Although Riley does advise that VAR 'won't correct all of the injustices witnessed during the matches.' But at least it's a start.