The standard of refereeing in the Premier League is once again under scrutiny after the Friday night match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United following some highly controversial decisions.
Newcastle players, fans, TV pundits, commentators and pretty much everyone who witnessed the game last night were left baffled when Paul Tierney and VAR combined to rule out young Newcastle midfielder Elliot Andersonâs first ever senior goal.
However, it turns out that it wasnât just Newcastle who were raging with the referee last night as Nottingham Forest gaffer, Steve Cooper feels that Newcastleâs equaliser should have been ruled out for a foul by Joe Willock on Andre Ayew in the buildup.
âI wonât dwell on the fact too much, because as I said we made our own decisions, but it was definitely a foul on Andre in the build-up,â Cooper said (via the Nottingham Post). âThe referee has made a poor decision and so have we. And then the handball is something we canât argue with, and weâre punished with the penalty going in.â
I mean, the irony of them thinking they were robbed is off the charts here. Willock tussled with Ayew to win the ball and Ayew collapsed in a heap on the deck, there was nothing in it at all. VAR didnât even give it a cursory glance, Sky Sports mentioned it in commentary with Jamie Carragher concluding *youâre never going to get a free-kick for thatâ.
Compared to the decision that robbed Newcastle of a goal, this one doesnât even come close.
I understand they must be frustrated at losing so late in the game, but it was no more than Newcastle deserved on the night. United hit the crossbar twice in the first half and Forest were kept in it by Keylor Navas and a very, very dodgy VAR decision.
The handball and subsequent penalty was merely justice being served by karma. The football Gods seeing fit to write the wrong that went before.