Man Utd: VAR penalty decision in Erik ten Hag’s final match was misread, says Howard Webb
Referees chief Howard Webber said West Ham United should not have been awarded a penalty in Eric Hag’s final game in charge of Manchester United on October 27.
The Hammers made the decision on the recommendation of video assistant referee Michael Oliver following Matthijs de Ligt’s challenge on Danny Ings.
Following the incident, on-field referee David Coote waved play to continue, but awarded a penalty after viewing the incident on a pitchside monitor.
Jarrod Bowen takes the penalty kick, West Ham won 2-1. ten witches are Fired less than 24 hours later.
“I think it was a misreading by VAR,” Webber told Sky Sports’ Mic’d Up programme.
“VAR is usually very talented and reliable but in this case his focus was on De Ligt’s legs. His legs passed to Danny Ings without any contact with the ball. Already past De Ligt as he linked up with Danny Ings.
“VAR thought it was a clear foul. I think he was too focused on that. I don’t think he should have been involved in it.
“I think in this case we’ll reserve the decision on the spot, no matter which way it’s called. Overall, I don’t think it was a penalty.”
The on-field referee is not required to follow the advice of the VAR official.
“They were told that when they stepped onto the screen, they had the absolute right to reserve their own decision,” Weber said.
Weber, who chairs refereeing body PGMOL, spoke publicly for the first time since Coote was immediately suspended In a video circulating online, he appeared to make derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.
“We are aware of a video circulating on social media and we are taking it very seriously,” Weber said.
“We have launched a full investigation. One of our referees, David Coote, has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of the investigation.
“I have nothing to say at this stage until we complete our investigation.”
