‘I was surprised’: Former Premier League referee admits VAR made a big mistake against Man United | OneFootball

Manchester United were the victim of a late horror decision from VAR in the Premier League clash against West Ham United.

Matthijs de Ligt was adjudged to have fouled Danny Ings when the two players merely competed for the ball inside the box.

The on-field referee, David Coote, did not initially call it a foul but pointed to the spot after VAR asked him to see replays on the monitor.

VAR official Michael Oliver made a shocking decision to intervene when it was not a ‘clear-and-obvious error’.

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher had the same view on the incident.

He said on Sky Sports: “I didn’t think it was a penalty. I didn’t think it was a penalty. Look at it, it’s coming together.

“De Ligt does little wrong, Ings goes into him. The referee plays on and I think the referee makes the right decision.

“He’s sent to the monitor and I was even confident that at the monitor he would stand his ground. When he didn’t, that was the biggest surprise to me.”

Gallagher’s views confirm that officials made a horrendous decision to award the penalty.

Oliver and Coote must be held responsible for this call.

There was not enough contact between De Ligt and Ings for Oliver to intervene and change the course of the game.

Coote took ages to reach a decision and watched replays several times. It looked like the referee was himself not convinced that it was a penalty.

The PGMOL may come back with an apology but it is high time United react strongly to this matter.

The defeat in London leaves United 14th after nine matches with just four wins across all competitions.

The post ‘I was surprised’: Former Premier League referee admits VAR made a big mistake against Man United first appeared on Man Utd News.