Former referee Dermot Gallagher has weighed in on the decision made by Thomas Bramall, who disallowed Rogers’ strike at Old Trafford. ..Continue Reading
Rogers had capitalized on a mistake by Altay Bayindir, dispossessing the United goalkeeper before slotting the ball into an empty net. However, the referee blew his whistle for a foul just before the ball crossed the line.
Since play had already been stopped, VAR was unable to intervene, despite replays suggesting the call may have been incorrect.
United went on to secure a 2-0 victory, with second-half goals from Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen, leaving Villa outside the Champions League places.
Discussing the incident on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch on Monday, Gallagher said: “I think there’s a lot of things to debate. When you see the replay you see the challenge by Rogers on the goalkeeper.
“He’s got the ball there under control, I think he loses it there and the damage is done here for me because once the referee blows his whistle the game is terminated, so Rogers’ shot at that point doesn’t count.
“I just wonder, we talk all the time about players creating time on the ball, if the referee creates one second I think the landscape moves and the VAR can intervene. And I wonder then if the VAR intervenes he can then go to the screen and they change his decision, he may stick with it.
“If he changes his decision I think a lot of people would be happy with it and accept it. Even if he sticks with it, I think we will have a situation where it is more palatable. People will not like it, but they will accept it more, but because of what happens it is very, very untidy.
“The VAR checks when the whistle was blown, not the goal. That’s the key issue. If he had waited the time is still his own, he owns that time and he can make as many decisions as he wants. He can ask his assistants. Then he can ask VAR. He may have said it’s a foul which we would have accepted. He just didn’t give himself time to think – that’s his only mistake.”
When asked if he believes it should have been a goal, Gallagher said: “I think as it develops I will explain more to you how I think, it’s not as easy as that. I think the referee has probably taken the worst option for himself at the moment.”
Villa confirmed on Sunday they have written to PGMOL about the decision, questioning the appointment of the inexperienced Bramall to such a high-stakes game.
Villa’s director of football, Damian Vidagany, confirmed an official complaint would be made. “The complaint is not about the decision. The complaint is about the selection of the referees,” he said.
“One of the most inexperienced referees for one of the most difficult matches of the season involving another four or five teams. It’s not about the decision. The decision is clear. It’s a mistake.
“The referee apologised for the mistake. We can do nothing. The problem is why the experienced international referees were not here today.”
