A contentious decision in Manchester United’s recent match against West Ham cost manager Erik ten Hag his position, sparking debate across the football world. Ten Hag’s tenure ended following a 2-1 defeat at the London Stadium, where a controversial last-minute penalty allowed West Ham to snatch victory in the 92nd minute. Ruben Amorim has since taken over as United’s new manager.
The pivotal moment came when Matthijs de Ligt made a challenge on West Ham’s Danny Ings, which initially passed without penalty. However, VAR official Michael Oliver stepped in, recommending an on-field review by referee David Coote, who reversed his decision after watching the replay and awarded West Ham a penalty. The call, ultimately sealing United’s fate, became a flashpoint for fan outrage and professional scrutiny.
This week, PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) chief Howard Webb addressed the decision in the “Match Officials Mic’d Up” segment hosted by Michael Owen. Webb expressed his belief that Oliver’s intervention was unwarranted and that the initial no-penalty call should have stood.
“I thought it was a misread by the VAR, a VAR who is normally very talented and reliable but became overly focused on De Ligt’s leg contact,” Webb commented. “The ball had already passed De Ligt when contact was made with Ings, but in my view, it didn’t warrant overturning the on-field decision.”
The transcript from the VAR review provides insight into the process. Oliver noted De Ligt’s contact with Ings’ lower leg, emphasizing the absence of ball contact. Coote echoed Oliver’s observations but questioned whether Ings had control of the ball at any point. Ultimately, they agreed on a penalty, though Webb later argued that VAR had become “super-focused on one aspect,” rather than the play in its entirety.
The incident has raised questions about VAR’s role and discretion in pivotal game moments, leaving fans and pundits wondering whether Ten Hag’s tenure could have been extended with a different outcome.
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