GM football fans. It’s Wednesday, Jan. 14 - VAR errors have risen in the Premier League, fans from Senegal and the Ivory Coast express frustrations around World Cup sanctions, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
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KEY FIXTURE
English League Cup, semi-final first-leg (Jan 14): Chelsea vs. Arsenal, 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET. Chelsea have just one win from their last six matches in all competitions, while visitors Arsenal have only lost twice in all competitions this season. These sides have already met in the Premier League this season, which ended in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in November, despite the Blues going down to 10 men in the first half.
Results…
EFL Cup semi-final first-leg: Newcastle 0-2 Man City
Bundesliga: Dortmund 3-0 Bremen | Stuttgart 3-2 Frankfurt | Mainz 05 2-1 Heidenheim | Hamburg P-P Leverkusen (Table)
Coppa Italia last-16: Roma 2-3 Torino
TOP TALKING POINTS
VAR Errors Increase
Errors from VAR have risen in the first half of the Premier League this season, according to the league’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel, which operates independently of referees. Data shows that incorrect VAR outcomes have increased 30% season-on-season, rising from 10 to 13. It’s still an improvement from the 20 errors at this stage of the 2023-24 campaign and 23 in 2022-23. See all the errors from this season here.
Nearly all of the errors stem from missed interventions, when VAR has failed to tell a referee to change a decision, not incorrect VAR reviews. Notably, the total overturns have dropped from 57 last season to 47 this season (a 17.5% decrease), meaning that VAR is intervening less often overall. Taken together, the data suggests the increase in errors is less about technology and more about decision-making hesitancy, particularly around red cards and penalties.
After 19 matches, Bournemouth, Brentford, and Manchester United have each had two VAR errors go against them—the most in the league. Chelsea have benefited the most, gaining three decisions, while Bournemouth and Newcastle United have each benefited twice.
World Cup Frustration
Fans from Senegal and the Ivory Coast have expressed frustration over U.S. travel restrictions that could prevent them from attending the World Cup, according to the Associated Press. Supporters who do not already hold U.S. visas are effectively barred from travelling after both countries were added to a list facing partial travel bans in December. President Donald Trump cited “screening and vetting deficiencies” as the reason for the suspensions.
The restrictions include an exemption for players, their immediate relatives, and team officials, but there is no allowance for supporters. Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae is optimistic that a solution can be found, pointing out that Ivorian fans faced a similar hurdle when a visa requirement was introduced before the tournament, preventing them from getting to Morocco. “In the end, everything went very smoothly, and they were able to come as long as they had tickets to see the matches. I think things will be sorted out by the time of the World Cup,” Fae told The Associated Press.
Fans from Iran and Haiti, two other countries that have qualified for the World Cup, were banned from attending in Trump’s first travel ban announcement in November.
Dive deeper into what Trump’s foreign policy means for the World Cup here.
Klopp’s Potential Future
Jurgen Klopp is reportedly a key candidate to become head coach of Real Madrid should the club decide to replace Xabi Alonso’s successor, Alvaro Arbeloa, in the summer. Reports in Germany suggest Klopp would “seriously consider” the role, given the club’s appeal.
Shortly after the news broke about Alonso’s departure, Klopp was asked if his phone had been ringing for the job. “It actually has—though not from Madrid,” Klopp said on ServusTV, where he was serving as a pundit. “But yes, there were definitely a few people who felt they had to contact me directly about it. First of all, I think it’s another sign that something isn’t quite right there at the moment.”
Klopp is currently head of global soccer for Red Bull, overseeing the company’s network of clubs around the world. Multiple reports in German media say Klopp's contract has a break clause if the Germany men's national team job becomes available after the 2026 World Cup. It’s unclear whether this is also true for any club opportunities that arise.
POLL
Should rebounds be allowed from penalty kicks in normal time?
Editor’s Note: Today’s question comes from a reader, Michael. If you have any poll questions you’d like Routers to answer, don’t hesitate to submit your question by replying to an email or to [email protected].
ON THE BALL
Europe
> Manchester United have confirmed Michael Carrick as the club’s head coach until the end of the season (More)
> Joao Cancelo has signed for Barcelona ahead of joining the club on a short-term deal from Al Hilal (More)
> Former Liverpool and PSG defender Mamadou Sakho announced his retirement from professional football (More)
> Rangers have confirmed the appointment of St Mirren vice-chairman Jim Gillespie as chief executive (More)
Americas
> The U.S. will invest $115m in counter-drone measures to bolster security around the Fifa World Cup (More)
> The San Jose Earthquakes are closing in on a deal to sign German forward Timo Werner from RB Leipzig (More) | Minnesota United promoted Cameron Knowles to replace the departing Eric Ramsay as head coach (More)
> The Orlando Pride hired Caitlin Carducci as the NWSL club’s new vice president of football operations and general manager (More)
Rest of the World
> The Afcon semi-finals will take place on Wednesday (Jan 14) with Egypt vs Senegal and Nigeria vs Morocco (More)
> Gabon’s FA has lifted its sanctions on the club’s national team and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang following their early exit from the Afcon (More)
> Josh Cavallo has accused his former A-League club Adelaide United of homophobia and blocking him from playing after he came out as gay in 2021 (More)
ROUTERS’ VOICE
Yesterday’s Poll: Would you rather your team score a dramatic last-minute winner or control the game from start to finish?
🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⏱️ Last-minute winner (22%)
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 💪 In control throughout (76%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (2%)
Your punditry takes:
⏱️ I.S: “For the memories, the last-minute winner. I can remember when and where I was to the very detail. But for my blood pressure, a controlled possession game (literally) doesn't hurt!”
⏱️ K.C: “This is the stuff that makes us watch football! We're not here to see 2-2 draws and walk away being completely bored. The rush it gives us fans when seeing a last-minute 30-yard strike (shout out Semenyo) is irreplaceable.”
💪 J.M: “The feeling of ecstasy when your team scores a last-minute winner is incredible; however, it does come with a huge amount of stress and anxiety beforehand while the game hangs in the balance. Much more comfortable to be dominant and in control throughout, scoring a few goals and conceding nothing.”
💪 K.P: “Last-minute winners take away our chance of celebrating and going into verse with ‘You're not singing anymore’ as has happened recently at my team's (Millwall) games on more than one occasion this season. Plus, it’s not good for the heart and nerves. I would rather see us in control for the 90 minutes or so.”
EXTRA TIME
Why Premier League rights might end up with Netflix.
Who are the top performers in Europe's major women's leagues?
Inside Semenyo’s signing for Man City.
When cinemas screened Arsenal vs Chelsea in 1973.
Jeremie Frimpong rates British snacks.
Meet the man with 3,000 classic shirts.
GAME FACE ON
Question: Name the only two players to have scored a hat-trick in a World Cup final.
Scroll below for the answer.
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
Coaching Real Madrid has been an honour and a responsibility. I leave with respect, gratitude, and pride that I did my best.
Answer
Geoff Hurst (1966) and Kylian Mbappe (2022).
