Here are the most contentious decisions from Gameweek 14 in the Premier League.
The Incident: Jay Rodriguez scores after 15 seconds for Burnley. Replays show that the forward was in Sheffield United’s half before the ball was kicked off (Burnley 5-0 Sheffield Utd).
Verdict: Had this incident been spotted by the referee or linesman, this goal would have been chalked off. However, as it wasn’t, VAR could not overturn it as it’s not meant to check incidents after restarts of play, regardless of whether there’s a goal scored.
The Incident: James Milner brings down Mykhailo Mudryk inside Brighton’s box. Referee waves it away but after being advised to check the screen by the VAR, reverses his decision and awards a penalty to Chelsea which is converted by Enzo Fernández. (Chelsea 3-2 Brighton)
What IFAB’s rules say: “A player, substitute or substituted player who commits any of the following offences is sent off: denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick.”
Verdict: The debate was over whether Mudryk was in control of the ball and whether Brighton goalkeeper Steele would have made a save. However, IFAB’s rules are pretty clear on this kind of situation. Mudryk was in on goal and the challenge from Milner sent him to the ground.
Should Milner have been sent off? The “double jeopardy” rule comes into effect as Milner’s challenge was a genuine attempt to reach the ball, so despite being the last man for Brighton, a red card couldn’t be given once a penalty had been awarded.
The Incident: Erling Haaland is tripped by Emerson Royal but is up straight away and passes the ball forward to Jack Grealish. Referee Simon Hooper then whistles and pulls back play for the foul. (Man City 3-3 Tottenham).
Verdict: This was most controversial call of the gameweek. Simon Hooper clearly played advantage after Haaland had been fouled and had made the pass. He only whistled after the pass to Grealish who looked onside and would have been through on goal, was made.
It was awful refereeing from Hooper who will face more criticism after already being in charge of games with huge officiating controversies – Man Utd vs Wolves at the start of the season and Tottenham vs Liverpool.
The Incident: Diogo Dalot kicks the ball against his own arm in Man Utd’s penalty box. No penalty is given. (Newcastle 1-0 Man Utd)
Verdict: Despite the ball striking Dalot’s arm in the box, this wasn’t a penalty as the contact was purely accidental and was kicked by the p[layer onto his own arm.
