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In a recent analysis of the controversial penalty appeal involving Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock, referee chief Howard Webb has stood by the decision to book Willock for diving. The incident occurred during Newcastle’s clash with Brighton, where the Magpies were trailing 1-0. Initially, a penalty was awarded to Newcastle, but it was overturned after VAR intervention, which determined that Anthony Gordon had been fouled outside the box in an earlier incident.
Michael Owen said: “I think this is a great clip in terms of what VAR is here for. Not only do they get the decision right, and I can almost have a little bit of sympathy for the referee, but there’s a man in between the challenge. When I first saw it, I thought it looks like a penalty. And not only that, but a yellow card for simulation. So the whole chain of events looked like it worked there.”
Howard Webb said: “When you watch the clip, you can see that the referee is desperately trying to get that in-between view. And that’s obviously problematic for him, because then he’s making a decision without having that clear view that you’re seeking so desperately. And he thinks he’s seen enough to give a penalty as Van Hecke goes to ground. It’s always risky when you go to ground, he gives the penalty. In this case, it’s Willock who has gone down looking to win the penalty and the VAR is able to look at a number of angles and clearly see that that’s not a foul by Van Hecke.”
The incident has sparked discussions about the role of VAR in modern football. Webb, who is the chief operating officer at PGMOL, emphasized the importance of VAR in ensuring accurate decisions are made on the field. He acknowledged that while Van Hecke took a risk by going to ground, the VAR’s ability to review multiple angles confirmed that Willock’s actions warranted a yellow card for simulation.
Despite the controversy, Newcastle United eventually secured a penalty later in the match for a handball offence, which Alexander Isak successfully converted, earning the team a crucial point. The incident underscores the ongoing debates about VAR’s impact on the game and its effectiveness in assisting referees with challenging decisions.
**Tags:** #NewcastleUnited, #VAR, #RefereeInsight, #PremierLeague, #Controversy, #PlayerForm
