PGMOL chief Howard Webb has defended VAR for not intervening in a controversial moment during Liverpool's recent draw with Manchester City.
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Howard Webb explains VAR processLiverpool denied late penalty vs Man CityDoku challenge on Mac Allister ruled fairWHAT HAPPENED?
Appearing on the latest ediiton of , Webb said that it was right for VAR not to intervene and overturn Michael Oliver's decision not to award a penalty for Jeremy Doku's challenge on Alexis Mac Allister near the end of the 1-1 draw at Anfield on March 10. The retired official turned boss of the refereeing body, insisted there wasn't enough of an error to get involved, which also would have been the case had the opposite happened and the penalty been given by the on-field ref.
AdvertisementGETTYWHAT WEBB SAID
Webb said: "It's one of those…if the referee gives it on the field, it would have been a 'check complete' by the VAR. Equally, having not given it, it's also 'check complete'. You hear Michael Oliver say the ball is in between two players going together. The ball is too low to head. Doku lifts his foot to play the ball, and he does make contact on the ball. And yes, we know there's some contact on Mac Allister as well. Mac Allister comes into him. Mac Allister is not really playing the ball either. So, I understand why it's split opinion.
"The VAR stays out of it. I think that is what we would we would expect. The VAR looks at it and doesn't see a 'clear and obvious' situation. You see something that's pretty subjective and therefore stays out of it, and the feedback we've had from people within the game is that this is a pretty subjective situation. It's split opinion. So on that basis, the VAR, working to that high threshold kind of followed the right course in not getting involved."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Mac Allister had already converted from the spot early in the second half when Darwin Nunez was brought down by Ederson, cancelling out John Stones' first half goal. But the Argentine told afterwards that he felt he was denied a "clear penalty" when he was struck in the chest by Doku's boot. "I think the ref did a very good job throughout the game, but I think he made a mistake in the last decision," Mac Allister added.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL & MAN CITY?
Nothing changes for Liverpool or Manchester City. They remain separated by just a single point in the Premier League table, with Arsenal narrowly ahead of the third place Reds on goal difference. Both clubs also remain in the hunt for European silverware, with City set to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals next months and Liverpool braced for Atalanta in the Europa League last eight.
