Referee boss Howard Webb says West Ham should not have been given a penalty in Erik ten Hag's last game as Manchester United manager on October 27.
The Hammers received the decision on the recommendation of video assistant referee Michael Oliver after Matthijs de Ligt challenged Danny Ings.
David Coote, the on-field referee, had allowed play to continue after the incident but awarded a penalty after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Jarrod Bowen scored the penalty, sealed a 2-1 win for West Ham. Ten Hag was released less than 24 hours later.
“I thought it was a misreading by the VAR,” Webb told Sky Sports’ Mic’d Up programme.
“A VAR who is usually very talented and reliable, but in this situation is too focused on De Ligt’s leg. His leg gets through to Danny Ings, but has no contact with the ball. The ball is already past De Ligt, just like him.” makes contact with Danny Ings.
“And the VAR sees this as a clear foul. I think he was too focused on that aspect. I don’t think he should have gotten involved.”
“I think this is a situation where we would leave the on-field decision as it is, probably whatever it's called. All in all, I don’t think it’s a penalty.”
On-field referees are not required to follow the recommendations of the VAR official.
“They are being told that when they go on screen they absolutely have the right to stick with their decision,” Webb said.
Webb, head of the PGMOL referee body, spoke publicly for the first time since then Coote was suspended with immediate effect after he appeared to make derogatory comments about Liverpool and its former coach Jürgen Klopp in a video shared online.
“We have become aware of a video that has been circulating on social media and we are taking it very seriously,” Webb said.
“We have launched a comprehensive investigation. One of our referees, David Coote, has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of this investigation.”
“At this point I can’t say much more until we complete this investigation.”
