PGMOL chief, Howard Webb, has explained why Liverpool were not awarded a penalty late on against Manchester City.
Webb stated this while speaking on the latest instalment of Match Officials Mic’d Up.
Liverpool were not awarded a penalty by VAR in the final minute of their pulsating 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Super Sunday.
In the final minute of the match, Jeremy Doku challenged Alexis Mac Allister in the penalty area as City defended a corner – and appeared to catch the Liverpool No 10 in the chest.
Referee Michael Oliver waved away the call and VAR Stuart Attwell took a long look at the decision – and opted to stick with the on-field call.
Webb said: “This one has split opinion. I think it’s one where had the referee given it on the field, it would have been ‘check complete’ by the VAR.
“I think it would have been ‘check complete’ either way as he doesn’t want to be re-refereeing the game in situations that are not really clear.
“In this situation, the VAR stays out of it and I think that’s what we would expect.
“It’s a massive game, so as a referee, you just want clarity and certainty that you’re making the right decision. You don’t always have sufficient information that you’re making the right decision. You need that on big moments in and around the penalty area.
“You do everything you can to be in the right position. Michael didn’t have certainty in this situation but VAR didn’t have any clear and obvious evidence to overturn the on-field decision. It’s subjective and so stays out of it. VAR followed the right course in not getting involved.”
