Webb says VAR botched the West Ham penalty against Manchester United

According to referees chief Howard Webb, Erik ten Hag’s final match as manager of Manchester United on October 27 should not have resulted in a penalty for West Ham.

Following Matthijs de Ligt’s challenge on Danny Ings, video assistant referee Michael Oliver recommended that the Hammers win.

The on-field referee, David Coote, had waved play on after the incident, but after watching the action on the pitchside monitor, he gave a penalty.

West Ham won 2-1 thanks to a penalty kick from Jarrod Bowen. Less than a day later, Ten Hag was fired.

“I believed the VAR misinterpreted it,” Webb said on Sky Sports’ Mic’d Up show.

“A VAR who is typically very skilled and dependable becomes extremely concentrated in this situation on De Ligt’s leg. His leg coming through on to Danny Ings, not making any contact with the ball. The ball’s already past De Ligt as he as he makes contact with Danny Ings.

And that is clearly a foul in the eyes of the VAR. I believe he was overly preoccupied with that element. He shouldn’t have gotten engaged, in my opinion.

“I believe that in this case, we would leave the on-field decision alone, regardless of its name. Overall, I don’t believe that to be a penalty kick.

Referees on the pitch are not obligated to abide by the VAR official’s recommendations.

“They are told that they are absolutely within their rights to keep their decision when they go to the screen,” explained Webb.

Webb, the head of the refereeing organization PGMOL, was making his first public appearance since Coote was suspended with immediate effect for allegedly making disparaging remarks against Liverpool and their former manage Jurgen Klopp in a video that circulated online.

“We became aware of a video that was being circulated on social media that we are taking very seriously,” Webb added.

“A thorough investigation has been launched. David Coote, one of our referees, has been placed on immediate leave while that inquiry is conducted.

“There’s not much more I can say at this stage until we’ve worked through that investigation.”