THE PGMOL have apologised to Brighton for the third time this season after admitting the match officials and VAR made a mistake in not awarding the Seagulls a penalty against Tottenham.
The incident, which was one of five controversial decisions, occurred with the scores level at 1-1 when Kaoru Mitoma was caught by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg inside the area.
Referee Stuart Atwell waved away the Brighton appeals for a penalty and it was quickly looked at by VAR official Michael Salisbury at Stockley Park.
Referee chief Howard Webb has since been in contact with Brighton and said they should have been awarded a penalty for following the tackle by Hojbjerg on Mitoma.
The incident was just one of three penalty appeals Roberto De Zerbi’s side had, none of which were awarded in what was a feisty game with both managers sent off following a touchline bust up.
Brighton were furious with the decision making during the match and demanded an explanation from the PGMOL.
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De Zerbi’s men had two goals controversially ruled out by VAR with Mitoma penalised for a handball, which on second viewing looks like it hit his shoulder.
The visitors were then further enraged as Danny Welbeck’s second half strike was ruled out for a handball by Alexis Mac Allister in the build up.
Replays appeared to show the ball may have hit his hip though.
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Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton branded the penalty incident and the first handball decision as “horrendous.”
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He said: “Brighton have been robbed this afternoon.
“At least two horrendous decisions go against Mitoma. [Referees’ chief] Howard Webb will be apologising to them once again, of that I’m sure! Truly awful.”
Former midfielder Danny Murphy was also critical of the officials.
Speaking on Match Of The Day he said: “It is beyond belief that those two decisions weren’t given.
“It is hard to find any logical reason why.
“As far as I’m concerned it’s just complete incompetence.
“I feel for (referees chief) Howard Webb to a degree.”
Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s record scorer, also slammed the officiating.
Also speaking on Match Of The Day he said: “It should be a clear penalty. De Zerbi I’m sure will be getting an apology at some time in the next 48 hours to say, ‘Sorry, we got that one wrong’.
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“It’s not good enough, it’s not acceptable.”
It could prove a costly defeat for Brighton as they drop down to seventh, 10 points off Manchester United in fourth.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
