REFEREE Lee Mason disallowed Lewis Dunk’s Brighton equaliser against West Brom, after flip flapping on his decision TWICE.
The confusion began when the Seagulls defender cheekily took a free-kick from 20 yards quickly, catching out Baggies goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
Lewis Dunk tried to take the free-kick earlyCredit: PA:Press Association
Referee Lee Mason got himself in a pickleCredit: Reuters
Dunk, 29, was convinced that Mason had blown the whistle for the kick to be taken, strongly arguing his case with the official.
Unexpectedly the Brighton’s skipper’s protestations initially appeared to ring true, with Mason deciding to give the goal after all.
It was then West Brom captain Kyle Bartley’s turn to argue his case, with the Baggies insisting that the set-piece was taken too quickly.
VAR eventually intervened, instructing Mason not to give the goal.
And Brighton, 1-0 down from Bartley’s earlier header, were then made to take the free-kick again – with Dunk this time sending it harmlessly into Johnstone’s grasp.
Graham Potter appeared bemused on the touchline, while even Sam Allardyce had his head in his hands.
The final judgement was that Mason had blown the whistle twice, once before the kick indicating for play to be stopped.
And a second time while the ball was in mid-air, meaning the free-kick had to be retaken.
The referee only served to irritate both sets of playersCredit: PA:Press Association
Mason tried to explain what had happened to both bemused managersCredit: Getty – Pool
The incident only served to frustrate both sets of players and coaching staff, as the relegation battlers slugged it out for three crucial points.
Mason had already awarded Brighton a penalty following a VAR review, after Okay Yokuslu handballed in the box.
But Pascal Gross wasted the chance to equalise, slapping his spot kick against the crossbar.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
