Referees chief Howard Webb has given his verdict as to why Video Assistant Referee Michael Oliver was wrong to give a penalty in Erik ten Hag‘s final match as Manchester United manager.
Referee David Coote did not initially award a penalty but overturned his call after being called to the monitor by VAR Oliver and mulling over it for two minutes.
Jarrod Bowen then stepped up and buried the spot-kick, subjecting United to defeat, their fourth of the season, and Ten Hag was axed the next day.
Webb – who is chief of PGMOL, the body responsible for refereeing games in England – reportedly voiced his disagreement at the time, but has since explained just why he thinks it was the incorrect call on Sky Sports’ Mic’d Up.
Howard Webb (left) has explained why he felt it was the wrong decision for Michael Oliver to send David Coote to the pitchside monitor
Referees’ chief Webb reportedly feels that the penalty decision which led to Erik ten Hag’s sacking was wrong
Matthijs de Ligt argued that Danny Ings had handled the ball in the build-up to the penalty
‘I thought it was a misread by the VAR. Gets uber focused in this situation on De Ligt’s leg, his leg coming through on to Danny Ings, not making any contact with the ball. The ball has already passed De Ligt as he makes contact with Danny Ings.
‘The VAR sees that as a clear foul. I think he was too focused on that aspect. I don’t think he should have got involved. I think this is a situation where we’d leave the on-field decision as it is, probably whichever way it’s called.
‘On balance, I don’t think it’s a penalty kick. I’d prefer no foul being given, I’d prefer no penalty, play on.
‘But the VAR got too focused on that one aspect, that swinging leg by De Ligt, and felt therefore that it was a penalty and a clear and obvious error not to award it.
Discussing whether referees need to listen to the VAR, he added: ‘They are told that they are absolutely within their rights to keep their decision when they go to the screen.’
‘That judgement can be wrong, it was in this case.’
‘But the VAR is a human who is analysing pictures in real time and is making a judgement whether or not a clear error has happened and that judgement could be wrong. It was in this case.
‘We do remind our referees to keep a clear mind, look at it with fresh eyes, do you need to change your call?’
Jarrod Bowen converted the spot kick which was West Ham beat Man United 2-1 on October 27
Ten Hag was sacked the next day and flew home to the Netherlands in a private jet
That defeat brought an end to the Ten Hag era at Old Trafford, but the club has since brought in Ruben Amorim, who left Sporting Clube de Portugal mid-season to take over the role.
United were left floundering in 14th in the Premier League and, while there is no knowing whether Ten Hag would have been sacked with a draw, it is easy for him to feel bitter.
His side thought they had grasped a point after Casemiro levelled in the 81st minute to cancel out Crysencio Summerville’s opener.
Ten Hag was understandably irate at what he felt was an erroneous decision at the time, and vented his fury following the final whistle.
‘In football the best team does not always win, that was clear and obvious,’ a furious Ten Hag said.
‘Clear and obvious was not how VAR worked, they ruined their process. Three times this season we feel injustice.
‘Before the season, they explained the process of VAR and only when it’s clear and obvious is when they should interfere.
‘What they didn’t do against Spurs, where they should have interfered on Bruno [Fernandes] red card, they didn’t do it.
‘Now they make the wrong decision interfering and both have a big impact on the games.’
The Premier League said VAR official Michael Oliver had deemed there to be significant contact on Ings’ lower leg and therefore recommended an on-field review.
