The Premier League match centre had to issue a statement following a controversial VAR decision that denied Everton a last-minute penalty against Manchester United.
On Saturday morning, Manchester United staged a comeback to draw 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park after facing an initial onslaught.
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Goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure gave Everton a 2-0 lead at halftime, but United’s Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte scored to level the match. ..Continue Reading
It seemed that Everton would have a chance to secure a late victory when referee Andy Madley awarded them a penalty. However, the decision was controversially overturned, sparking outrage and prompting an official explanation.
In the 93rd minute, Madley awarded a penalty after United defender Matthijs de Ligt was judged to have fouled Everton’s Ashley Young by pulling him down in the box.
However, after a lengthy review by VAR, the referee was advised to check the monitor and ultimately overturned the decision, concluding that while de Ligt did pull Young’s shirt, it wasn’t enough to warrant a foul.
Posting on X, the official Premier League match centre account explained: “VAR checked the referee’s call of penalty to Everton for a challenge by Maguire on Young and deemed that no foul had been committed and recommended an on-field review.
“The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball.”
Nonetheless, fans were furious about the decision and voiced their displeasure on social media.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean echoed the sentiment, agreeing that the penalty should have been awarded and acknowledging the call as controversial.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “It should not be overturned – he has made a meal of it, he has chucked himself to the floor, though…”
If Everton had been awarded the penalty and managed to convert it, they would have maintained their impressive form under returning manager Moyes and moved up to 12th place in the standings.
