Refereeing authorities have been assured of a comprehensive inquiry into the "absolute nonsense" that disrupted the North London derby. The match experienced a six-minute stoppage during the first half, with the second period also delayed due to technical failures affecting the VAR system.

Hawkeye, the technology provider responsible for the 'communication packs' at the centre of the malfunction, left referee Peter Bankes unable to communicate with his assistants, Blake Antrobus and Eddie Smart, as well as the VAR officials at Stockley Park.

The Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) are examining the communications and technological breakdown, which proved deeply embarrassing for the Premier League during a marquee Sunday fixture broadcast globally.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was left seething by the delays, and said: "This is ridiculous, the whole game cannot stop just because of an IT issue - this is an absolute nonsense, one of the most important games of the season and the players all now have to reset. This is an absolute nonsense.

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