Chief referee Howard Webb says West Ham should not have been awarded a penalty during Erik ten Hag’s final game in charge of Manchester United on October 27.
The Hammers made the decision on the recommendation of video assistant referee Michael Oliver following Matthijs de Ligt’s challenge on Danny Ings.
David Coote, the on-field referee, had suspended play after the incident, but awarded a penalty after reviewing the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
Jarrod Bowen scored the penalty, sealing West Ham’s 2-1 victory. Ten Hag was fired less than 24 hours later.
“I thought the VAR had read it wrong,” Webb told Sky Sports show Mic’d Up.
“A VAR that is normally very talented and reliable, but in this situation focuses on De Ligt’s leg. His leg reaches Danny Ings, without making any contact with the ball. The ball has already passed to De Ligt while he he contacts Danny Ings.
“And the VAR sees it as a clear foul. I think he was too focused on that aspect. I don’t think he should have been involved.
“I think this is a situation where we would leave the decision on the field as it is, probably whatever it’s called. Overall, I don’t think it’s a penalty kick.”
On-field referees are not required to follow the recommendations of the VAR official.
“They are told they have every right to stand by their decision when they go to the screen,” Webb said.
Webb, head of refereeing body PGMOL, spoke publicly for the first time since Coote was suspended with immediate effect after he appeared to make derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp in a video that circulated online.
“We became aware of a video circulating on social media that we are taking very seriously,” Webb said.
“We have launched a full investigation. One of our referees, David Coote, has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of that investigation.
“There’s not much more I can say at this point until we’ve worked through that investigation.”
