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Gary Neville Explains Why VAR Did Not Give Newcastle Penalty vs Man Utd
Gary Neville has angered Newcastle United fans with his explanation as to why Eddie Howe’s side were not awarded a penalty in their 1-0 defeat against Manchester United.
The hosts took control in the first half, fashioning multiple opportunities, and went in front after Patrick Dorgu struck a sweet volley past Aaron Ramsdale. But the Magpies emerged after the break with a hunger to get back into the game, pushing forward in search of an equaliser.
Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall both came close for Newcastle, with the latter hitting the woodwork with a fierce effort. But there were appeals for a penalty just after the hour mark after the ball hit Lisandro Martinez’s raised arm.
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Neville Gives Explanation For Newcastle Penalty Being Denied
After the ball came in from a corner, it was flicked on by a United player and fell into the path of Fabian Schar at the back post. The Swiss defender then struck the ball towards goal, before it seemingly hit the hand of Martinez from close range.
Players in black and white instantly all cried for a penalty, but referee Anthony Taylor declined to point to the spot. The incident was then checked by the VAR, but Stuart Attwell decided that there was mutual contact between Martinez and Malick Thiaw, who the Argentine was tussling with during the set-piece.
While the officials were weighing up what to do, Neville, who was on commentary duty for Sky Sports, could be heard explaining the decision-making process. The former England international’s breakdown reached the same conclusion that VAR did — that the contact between the two defenders negated the penalty call.
“There is a massive shout,” he said. “Schar hits it, his arm is up above his head and it’s stretched. Is it because he’s pushing Thiaw? That might just save him. He’s actually wrestling with the other Newcastle centre-back, his arms are already there.
“I think the fact he has just had a wrestle with the other centre-back might just save him.
“He is saying the context is because there’s another situation whereby he is fighting with another player and his arms are already up there and he’s just not got back down.”
PGMOL appeared to back Neville’s theory though, with co-host Peter Drury replying: “That’s essentially the [VAR] explanation for the fact that there won’t be a penalty.”
Fans and Journalist Left in Disbelief by Neville’s Explanation
Neville’s explanation hasn’t gone down well with football fans who believe that a penalty should have been given, particularly those of a Newcastle persuasion. Having been denied a penalty against Chelsea for Trevoh Chalobah’s challenge on Gordon, some have even complained that Friday night’s decision was even worse.
The Independent’s Adam Clery, writing on social media, wrote:
“I didn’t think they could top the Gordon thing against Chelsea but ‘it’s not a handball because he’s already pushing Thiaw in the back’ might be close.” And that sentiment was echoed by someone else, who said: “‘Not a penalty because he’s pushing someone’ has to be a top 5 all timer.”
An additional fan sarcastically stated: “Hands in the natural position of shoving another player.” While one more added: “I have no idea what the handball is rule anymore.”
A final individual wrote: “‘Not handball because he’s in the process of pushing Thiaw to the floor’ is one of the most apt big 6 excuses for not conceding a penalty I’ve ever heard and it was said with no irony. You can only laugh at this point.”
