David Moyes
Everton’s recent Premier League match against West Ham was marred by a controversial VAR decision that left the Toffees’ manager, David Moyes, visibly frustrated. The incident occurred when the ball struck West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes’ hand inside the box during a tussle with Thierno Barry. While the referee’s decision of no penalty was confirmed by VAR, the explanation has not satisfied Everton.
David Moyes said: “I’m a bit surprised. I’ve been to see them (the officials) and VAR are saying it was grappling – well, the boy marking him was grappling. He punched the ball. But when asked if the club had received a response, Moyes then said: “Yes, but it’s always rubbish what you get back. You never get anything good back.”
PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb has now broken his silence on the matter during an appearance on Match Officials Mic’d Up. Webb provided his perspective on the controversial call.
Howard Webb said: “Interesting situation, this one. I’m with you. From the outset, I want to say we think a penalty should’ve been awarded here against Fernandes. However, I don’t think he really meant to deliberately handle the ball. But most penalties that are given where there’s no intent to handle the ball are when players make themselves unnaturally bigger. They take a risk by putting their arm out to maybe block a shot or a cross, and they know that if the ball does hit their arm or their hand in that position, then they’re going to pay the price for that. He doesn’t make himself unnaturally bigger here. He moves his arm forward. I think he’s probably trying to prevent the attacker from turning him. But in doing that, he kind of bats the ball away. He can’t even see the ball, but Fernandes knows more or less where the ball is, and it’s a deliberate action with his arm, probably not to handle the ball, but to do something. And therefore, I think we’ve given Fernandes way too much benefit of the doubt here. Looking really quite technically at it, I think the game just expects a penalty in this situation.”
In addition to addressing the handball incident, Webb also commented on another decision from the match, where Barry’s goal was initially ruled offside but later awarded after consultation.
Howard Webb said: “Clearly, this is a correctly awarded goal in the end. The officials initially penalise Barry for offside, but then they have a consultation on the field and they award the goal, which is the right thing to do. It’s the right thing to do because Guehi plays the ball back towards his goalkeeper in a very controlled way, a deliberate way. He’s not under immediate pressure by Barry at that moment. Barry is some distance away. He’s not challenging Guehi. He’s not impacting his ability to play the ball. Guehi chooses to play it back to the goalkeeper, makes a bad job of it, and that resets the offside position for Barry, and Barry can then nip in and score the goal. Well, he does as soon as Guehi plays that ball in a controlled and deliberate way. That’s a reset of the play.”
Webb’s comments have added another layer to the ongoing debate about VAR’s role and consistency in the Premier League. As the season progresses, these discussions are likely to continue, with clubs and fans eager for clarity and consistency in officiating.
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