The Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) has admitted that Manchester United’s second goal in Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest should have been ruled out for handball.
Referees’ chief Howard Webb contacted Forest on Monday to acknowledge that referee Michael Salisbury made the wrong decision after being advised to review the incident by VAR official Matt Donohue.
Controversial Goal Sparks Debate
The incident occurred during United’s second goal when the ball struck the arm of forward Bryan Mbeumo before he attempted a shot.
The effort was blocked by a defender, but the loose ball fell to Matheus Cunha, who fired home to put United 2-0 ahead.
VAR official Donohue instructed Salisbury to review the incident at the pitchside monitor with a recommendation to overturn the goal for handball.
However, Salisbury judged the contact to be accidental and allowed the goal to stand.
It marked only the 17th time in seven Premier League seasons – and the fourth occasion this campaign – that a referee has rejected the advice of the VAR after an on-field review.
Forest Left Frustrated
Forest players were unhappy with the decision during and after the match, believing the handball directly influenced the goal.
“From the angle I was standing at, it looked like he caught the ball,” said Morgan Gibbs-White after the game.
“Whether he scores or not, for me it was still a handball.”
The result proved costly for Forest as United eventually secured a 3-2 win.
Webb Explains PGMO Position
Webb explained to Forest that while there could be some interpretation around accidental handball, the expectation within football is that the goal should have been disallowed.
The Premier League’s handball guidelines are generally more lenient when it comes to natural body movement and accidental contact.
However, PGMO believes the VAR recommendation should ultimately have been followed because Mbeumo gained control of the ball with his arm during the attacking phase that led directly to the goal.
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann agreed with that assessment.
“While I think that it is commendable to see a referee stick with his original decision, I believe that football’s expectation is Mbeumo controlling the ball, especially when it leads to a goal, outweighs the possible deflection off Mbeumo’s hip,” Cann told BBC Sport.
“Mbeumo does control the ball [with his hand] and while he’s not the scorer himself, football’s expectation is for that to be disallowed.”
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