The chief refereeing officer of the Premier League, Howard Webb, has admitted that West Ham United were wrongly awarded a penalty by the Video Assistant Referee, VAR, in their 2-1 win at home to Manchester United.
The defeat ultimately resulted in Erik ten Hag being fired by the Red Devils.
With the game level at 1-1 in the 89th minute, Matthijs de Ligt clashed with Danny Ings inside the penalty area.
Referee David Coote waved play on, but he was advised to review the incident on the pitchside monitor by the VAR, Michael Oliver.
A penalty kick was eventually awarded, which Jarrod Bowen dispatched to give the Hammers victory.
Ten Hag was fired the following morning.
Speaking on the Match Officials Mic’d Up show, Webb said: “I thought it was a misread by the VAR, a VAR that’s normally really talented and reliable, but gets uber-focused in this situation on De Ligt’s leg.
“His [De Ligt’s] leg coming through on to Danny Ings, not making any contact with the ball. The ball’s already past De Ligt as he as he makes contact with Danny Ings.
“And 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 would prefer no foul being given, no penalty.”
