Howard Webb has revealed that Michael Oliver was wrong to recommend a late West Ham penalty against Manchester United which led to Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.
According to The Times, Webb, the chief refereeing officer at PGMOL, will appear on the Premier League’s ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’ program next week and express his disagreement.
Webb feels a stoppage time penalty should not have been awarded to West Ham on October 27th, which allowed Jarrod Bowen to step up and give the hosts a 2-1 win.
United defender Matthijs de Ligt conceded a spot-kick after appearing to foul Hammers striker Danny Ings inside the area – despite on-field referee David Coote waving it off.
Oliver, who was on VAR duty that day, asked Coote to review the incident on the pitchside monitor and after two minutes of deliberation, the referee awarded a penalty upon Oliver’s recommendation.
WATCH: VAR Michael Oliver wrongfully recommends West Ham penalty vs Manchester United
Shortly after the final whistle was blown, the Premier League released a statement to clarify the decision:
“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.”
Manchester United‘s head office decided to put an end to Ten Hag’s reign at the club following another disappointing result, but the Dutchman could still be in the job if the referees had done their jobs correctly.
On the decision, Ten Hag said: “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.
“I spoke with them (the officials). 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.”
