MANCHESTER CITY fans and Pep Guardiola were left fuming after a replay of a controversial penalty decision was shown on the big screen at the Etihad.
City took an early lead against Aston Villa via Bernardo Silva but then just minutes later, the visitors wanted a spot-kick.
Jacob Ramsey was knocked to the deck after a tangle with Ruben Dias in the penalty area.
But the coming together was waved away by referee Craig Pawson.
VAR reviewed the incident and sent the official to the pitchside monitor.
Pawson eventually decided to overturn his decision and give a penalty after being shown a replay picked up by a camera behind Ramsey.
The foul was then shown on the big screen at the Etihad Stadium but a different angle was reportedly used.
A view from behind the City goal appeared to be selected instead and that angle showed Dias getting a toe on the ball rather than clipping Ramsey’s heels.
It enraged the home support who loudly booed and whistled as Dias himself pointed towards the big screen in anger.
Guardiola was equally incensed and he protested wildly in his technical area.
The City boss was gesturing that Dias had pulled out of the challenge and got a piece of the ball.
Guardiola was booked for his antics – his fourth this season – but Marcus Rashford kept his cool to score the penalty to level things at 1-1.
City fans reacted: “VAR failing to show the angle where Dias gets the ball in order to change the referee’s mind and give a penalty. It’s an absolute farce.”
Another added: “That isn’t a penalty, VAR does not show the angle where Ruben touched the ball.”
A third reacted: “Yet again VAR don’t show best angle until after referee has decided.”
But pundit Roy Keane disagreed with supporters and said Dias DID foul Ramsey.
The Premier League later released a statement which read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no penalty to Aston Villa for a challenge by Dias on Ramsey – and deemed there was a clear trip and recommended an on-field review.
“The referee overturned the original decision and awarded a penalty to Aston Villa.”
Man City’s anger was somewhat relieved by a late winner from Matheus Nunes as they won 2-1.
‘It wasn’t a trip’ – Mark Halsey’s view
By Mark Halsey
FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey has given his verdict on the penalty call…
“I would not have given a penalty in real time. It was normal contact and a coming together between two players.
“Pawson was in a great position and also did not see it as a foul. Dias was trying to get out of the way and Ramsey has been clever in winning the pen.
“The next question is why has VAR got involved? It wasn’t a clear and obvious error. It’s subjective.”
The Prem match centre posted on X: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no penalty to Aston Villa for a challenge by Dias on Ramsey – and deemed there was a clear trip and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned the original decision and awarded a penalty.”
But Halsey added: “It wasn’t a trip. Pawson should have been stronger when he was sent to the monitor and stuck to his original decision.”
On Guardiola’s reaction, Halsey said: “Guardiola was frustrated and rightly so but he cannot act like that on the touchline. He needs to set an example.”
Read the full article here
