Sky Sports Removes Thierry Henry Clip After Controversial VAR Comments on Liverpool vs. West Ham Match
Sky Sports has reportedly pulled a video clip featuring Arsenal legend Thierry Henry following backlash over his remarks about the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions during Liverpool’s recent Premier League clash with West Ham United. The match, which ended in a dramatic 2-1 victory for Liverpool on April 13, 2025, at Anfield, sparked heated debate over officiating, with Henry’s comments allegedly suggesting bias toward the Reds.
The now-deleted clip, which circulated briefly on social media, captured Henry on Sky Sports’ punditry panel discussing the game’s key moments. According to posts on X, Henry implied that VAR decisions favored Liverpool, particularly in a contentious moment involving a potential penalty and a late goal by Virgil van Dijk that sealed the win. While the exact wording of Henry’s statement remains unverified due to the clip’s removal, fans and commentators on X accused Sky Sports of “sensationalism” and attempting to stir controversy with the segment.
Liverpool’s victory was not without drama. Luis Diaz opened the scoring in the 19th minute, assisted by Mohamed Salah, who broke a Premier League record for goal involvements in a 38-game season previously set by Henry himself in 2002/03. West Ham equalized late through an own goal by Andy Robertson, only for Van Dijk to head in the winner in the 89th minute from a corner. The goal stood despite West Ham’s claims of a foul by Van Dijk on Niclas Fullkrug, with VAR opting not to intervene—a decision that fueled post-match debates.
Henry’s alleged comments zeroed in on this moment, with some X users claiming he suggested VAR was “supporting” Liverpool’s title charge. The backlash was swift, with posts on X criticizing Sky Sports for airing the clip, calling it “cheap” and accusing the broadcaster of pushing a narrative to undermine Liverpool’s success. One user wrote, “Sky Sports have now deleted this Thierry Henry clip. This sensationalism is cheap low hanging fruit & fans saw straight through it. Punditry on Sky has never been poorer than it is right now.” Another echoed, “Embarrassing to try to bully & attack a 19 year old player,” though it’s unclear how this related directly to Henry’s VAR remarks, suggesting possible conflation with other punditry critiques.
Sky Sports has not issued an official statement on why the clip was removed, but the move suggests an attempt to quell the growing controversy. The broadcaster has faced scrutiny in recent years over its coverage of VAR, with fans across clubs often accusing pundits of bias depending on the team in question. Liverpool, now 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League with seven games remaining, have been a lightning rod for such debates, especially as their title charge intensifies under Arne Slot.
The match itself highlighted VAR’s ongoing polarizing role in football. Reports from outlets like The Guardian and NBC Sports noted West Ham’s frustration with the Van Dijk goal, with Fullkrug nudged in the build-up, but VAR deemed it insufficient to overturn. Earlier, a potential handball in the West Ham box was also waved off as accidental, further stoking tensions. These moments likely formed the basis for Henry’s analysis, though without the clip, it’s hard to confirm the extent of his claims.
This incident adds to the broader narrative of VAR’s inconsistent application, a topic Henry has previously discussed analytically on Sky Sports. In a separate segment earlier this season, he and Jamie Carragher dissected Mohamed Salah’s assist prowess, showing Henry’s willingness to engage deeply with Liverpool’s performances. However, suggesting favoritism—intentionally or not—crossed a line for some viewers, prompting Sky’s apparent backtrack.
The deletion of the clip has only amplified the conversation, with X posts reflecting a mix of Liverpool fans defending their team and rival supporters seizing on the controversy to question the league’s integrity. Meanwhile, West Ham, under Graham Potter, continue to struggle defensively, having lost their last nine trips to Anfield, per Sky Sports’ own coverage. For Liverpool, the focus remains on securing two more wins to clinch the title, with their next test against Leicester City looming.
As the dust settles, the episode underscores the tightrope pundits walk when dissecting VAR. Henry, a Premier League icon, is no stranger to bold opinions, but this saga shows how quickly analysis can spiral into accusation in the eyes of fans. Sky Sports’ decision to pull the clip may have been a bid to avoid further inflaming tensions, but it’s left more questions than answers about what Henry said—and why it struck such a nerve.
