Jump directly to the content

VAR was temporarily axed during Tottenham's clash with Nottingham Forest after a fire alarm at Stockley Park.

Referee John Brooks and assistant Dan Robathan were forced to flee the west London officials hub at half-time.

Stadium scoreboard showing a VAR review for a possible offside goal.
2
VAR was axed mid-game due to a fire alarm at Stockley ParkCredit: Reuters
Mathys Tel of Tottenham Hotspur dribbling the ball during a Premier League match.
2
Forest were leading Spurs 2-0 when VAR went downCredit: Getty

Nuno Espirito Santo's side went in at the break 2-0 up after goals by Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood.

And by the time the second 45 minutes begun, the refs were still unable to return to the building in West London.

A post from the Premier League's Match Centre confirmed the news, which read: "The match will be operating without VAR until further notice due to a fire alarm at the VAR Hub at Stockley Park."

Technology was out of use for around two minutes in second-half before things returned to normal.

READ MORE IN FOOTBALL

A second Prem tweet said: "VAR is now back up and running".

The system was fortunately not called upon while it was out of action.

But fans found the situation hilarious, with one saying: "We had freedom for about one minute."

Another added: "Whoever set the fire alarm off deserves a raise."

JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS

A third laughed: "Quick, someone go break the emergency glass again."

By the time of the fire alarm, VAR's new semi-automated offside technology had already been used at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Ange Postecoglou says he will be around 'for a little bit longer' after Tottenham victory over Eintracht Frankfurt

Wood had headed the ball into the back of the net but the goal was chalked off as the Forest striker went too early.

Yet it took him just seven minutes to score a goal that did stand after heading home an Anthony Elanga cross.

Tottenham improved after the break, and Richarlison netted a late goal.

But Spurs couldn't find another and Forest won 2-1 to boost their Champions League qualification hopes.

Topics