PGMOL chief Howard Webb has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the non-award of a penalty to Liverpool during their recent draw with Manchester City, stating that VAR was justified in not intervening.
During the match at Anfield on March 10, referee Michael Oliver decided not to award a penalty after Jeremy Doku’s challenge on Alexis Mac Allister late in the game. Webb, speaking on Match Officials Mic’d Up, supported Oliver’s decision, arguing that there wasn’t a clear and obvious error to prompt VAR intervention.
Webb explained, “It’s one of those… if the referee gives it on the field, it would have been a ‘check complete’ by the VAR. Equally, having not given it, it’s also ‘check complete’.” He highlighted that the incident was subjective, with opinions split, and emphasized that VAR appropriately refrained from involvement due to the lack of a clear and obvious situation.
Despite claims from Mac Allister that he was denied a “clear penalty,” Webb defended the decision, asserting that Doku’s challenge was a legitimate attempt to play the ball, even though there was contact with Mac Allister.
The 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Manchester City leaves both teams separated by just a single point in the Premier League table.
Both clubs are also contenders in European competitions, with City set to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and Liverpool preparing for Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League last eight round this season.
