Former Premier League referee backs controversial decision that kept Arsenal top of Premier League
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher supports VAR's decision not to give Liverpool a penalty for Jeremy Doku's high tackle on Alexis Mac Allister.
The match between Liverpool and Manchester City ended in a draw, with goals from John Stones and Mac Allister. It's a result that leaves Arsenal top of the Premier League, but it wasn't without controversy.
After the game, there was some debate about an incident involving City winger Doku and Liverpool's goal scorer.
Doku's studs hit Mac Allister's chest as he tried to clear the ball in his own box, but referee Michael Oliver didn't think it was a penalty. VAR also checked the incident and decided not to award a penalty to the home team.
Gallagher said that after thinking about it more, Doku's challenge could have easily been given as a penalty. However, because the Belgian player got the ball, the official at Stockley Park was right to stick with the decision made on the field.
«From my point of view, it's easy to give the penalty.» He said on Sky Sports' Ref Watch. «If you give it, there won't be much talk about it. Doku gets the ball, there's no doubt about that — the argument is, does getting the ball negate a penalty?
»Well, we saw at Bournemouth [recently], no. VAR is sure Doku gets the ball, he's right, so he decides to go with the on-field decision of no penalty.
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«It raises lots of dilemmas, I think there would be less argument if it was given as a penalty. I'm surprised there is a wide split. It's a big, big call. He made the decision based on what he saw.»
Liverpool manager Jurgen
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