PGMOL issue statement on controversial Newcastle United incident
Nick Pope’s heart was in his mouth when he brought Viktor Gyokeres down on Sunday.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb has defended Jarred Gillett’s decision to overturn a first-half penalty against Newcastle United on Sunday.
A unified gasp echoed around St James’ Park when Nick Pope brought down Viktor Gyokeres against Arsenal. Had the penalty stood, the Toon goalie would have almost certainly been given a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
However, following a lengthy VAR check, the referee reversed his call - much to the bemusement of Arsenal players. Pope was judged to have touched the ball and his blushes were spared.
More VAR controversy
An eventful game was marred by further VAR controversy in the second half. Newcastle were adamant Gabriel - who went on to net the winner in stoppage time - should have been dismissed for lashing out at Nick Woltemade.
Anthony Elanga’s cross in the closing stages also hit Gabriel’s arm inside the area but the ref turned down the penalty appeals. Replays showed the ball faintly brushed the Brazilian’s leg before striking his outstretched arm.
Howard Webb response
PGMOL chief Webb has broken his silence on the incident while speaking to Mic’d Up. He said: "The VAR checks the penalty. When he does that, he clearly sees that Gyokeres gets to the ball, pokes it a little bit forward but then, importantly, Nick Pope also gets a very clear touch on the ball as he steps forward with that right foot and deviates the direction that the ball is going in. That hadn't been appreciated on the field by the referee.
"Pope then plants his foot on the ground. He doesn't drive it forward into Gyokeres. There's clearly a gap between the two players after Pope has played the ball and then the two players come together quite normally.
"The action by Pope is normal. It's not reckless, it's just a kick out towards the ball. The ball deviates, no contact on the player until the ball has been played away and then the contact happens fairly normally so not a foul and therefore a good use of the VAR to intervene to show the referee what really happened."
"I think the deviation is quite clear. You'll see that touch by Gyokeres, then you'll see Pope's right leg come in. It touches the ball, it moves the ball away in a different direction to the direction it was previously going in. When he then puts his foot on the ground having made contact with the ball, there's a separation between him and Gyokeres. There's no contact at that point. The contact only happens after Pope has played the ball."
Piers Morgan fury despite Arsenal win
Celebrity Arsenal fan Piers Morgan was raging at the decision despite the win. He told talkSPORT: “It should have been for Arsenal when Gyokeres was absolutely poleaxed. I've got a real problem with the way that went down there because every football fan and every football player knows that Pope came out with one intent and that was just to take Gyokeres down.
“And the fact he got a tiny little toenail onto the ball does not negate the fact he took him out and the ball then went off and Gyokeres was not able to continue with his attacking move. That cannot be right. That should have been a penalty. It shouldn't have been overturned by VAR.
“VAR are supposed to overturn (a decision) when there's a clear and obvious discrepancy between the decision by the referee and what they're saying. Clearly there wasn't. He got a toenail to it but still took him out and stopped him scoring. That is a penalty.”