THE PREMIER LEAGUE have released a statement explaining the award of West Ham’s controversial penalty against Manchester United.
Referee David Coote did not give a spot kick after Matthijs de Ligt came together with Danny Ings in the area.
Matthijs de Ligt was judged to have fouled Danny Ings
The penalty was given after the VAR sent referee David Coote to the monitor
The decision enraged Man Utd’s players and manager Erik ten Hag
Ten Hag described the decision as ‘not right’ after the game
A VAR review took place and Coote was instructed to view the incident on the monitor.
He did so and ended up giving the penalty, before the Premier League made comment on their Match Centre account on X, claiming there was “sufficient contact”.
They said: “The referee did not award a penalty to West Ham for a challenge by de Ligt on Ings.
“The VAR deemed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg and recommended an on-field review.
“The referee overturned his original decision and awarded a penalty.”
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag confronted the officials after the game and looked incensed by the decision.
When asked about the controversial call, he said: “Three times this season we feel injustice.
“Unfair and unjust the way we conceded the penalty.
“It was so difficult to see. Before the season there was the instruction about VAR only interfering in clear and obvious mistakes.
“That is definitely not a clear and obvious mistake from the on field referee.
“More frustrations but I can do nothing with that. They don’t collect points and that’s what we have to do.
“We have to look in the mirror, we don’t score in a good game from our side. Create loads of chances and concede none but when you lose in this way it’s a bad feeling.”
Asked whether he had talked to the officials, he added: “I spoke with them. But the decision is made. There’s no way back and that’s football.
“That’s a third time I have felt injustice in the season and it has a big impact on our team and on our scores and where we are in the table. It’s not right.”
Many fans had similar feelings about the decision as they took to social media to vent their frustration.
One said: “That’s a disgrace. The game is gone, I can’t believe I witnessed this being given as a penalty.”
Another added: “Not enough for a penalty. Contact not sufficient. Shouldn’t even have gone to the VAR. United robbed!”
A third replied: “Manchester United were robbed in my opinion. Not a penalty.”
While a fourth responded: “VAR HAS MADE AN ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE MISTAKE!”
With the victory, West Ham moves up to 13th position, one spot above of Ten Hag’s team, who are now seven points outside of a Champions League spot.