The Premier League released a statement to explain the decision to award Liverpool a penalty against Manchester United in Sunday’s 2-2 draw. The match, played at Anfield, sparked debate over the use of VAR.
Manchester United initially took the lead with a brilliant strike from Lisandro Martinez. Liverpool quickly equalized through Cody Gakpo. However, the key moment came in the second half when VAR intervened to award a penalty after a handball by Matthijs de Ligt.
The Controversial Penalty
The ball deflected off Alexis Mac Allister’s head before striking De Ligt’s hand from a short distance. VAR determined the defender’s arm was in an “unnatural position.” Referee Michael Oliver reviewed the incident on the sideline and decided to award a penalty. Mohamed Salah converted the spot-kick to put Liverpool ahead.
Premier League’s Explanation
After the game, the Premier League issued a statement on its platform, explaining that VAR advised the referee to review the incident because De Ligt’s hand was deemed to be in an unnatural position. Following the review, Oliver overturned his initial decision and awarded the penalty.
Fan Reactions and Criticism
The clarification did little to ease the frustration among fans. Many argued the short distance between the players made the decision unfair. One fan commented, “Ridiculous decision. The ball hit his hand from less than a meter away.” Another said, “The VAR officials clearly don’t understand football.”
Similar Incidents Raise Questions
Fans compared the decision to a similar case last season when Cristian Romero’s handball was not penalized due to the close range of the incident. This inconsistency in decision-making has left fans questioning the standards of officiating.
Unclear Handball Guidelines
The current Premier League rules on handball, especially those concerning “unnatural hand positions,” remain unclear. The lack of consistent interpretation continues to create confusion and controversy in many matches.
