Refereeing

FORMER Premier League ref Mark Halsey believes Arsenal’s crucial goal in the 3-1 win over Southampton should NOT have stood.The official, who spent 14 years in the top-flight, reckons VAR has done Mikel Arteta’s side a huge favour for the second week running.Merino (No23) is offside as he makes an attempt to play the ball before Gabriel Martinelli (No11) scoresCredit: Premier LeagueThe goal proved crucial as the Gunners picked up three pointsCredit: GettyMark Halsey was a Premier League ref for 14 yearsCredit: Getty Images – GettyHalsey felt the Gunners were lucky to still have 11 players on the pitch last Saturday when Riccardo Calafiori made a cynical foul while on a booking in the 4-2 win over Leicester.And this week they appeared to get fortunate again with the decisions again. Arsenal were being held 1-1 by Southampton when Gabriel Martinelli put the hosts in front with a finish from a cross at the back post.The ball fell to him after Mikel Merino tried to head it at goal – only to not make contact with the ball. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe is in an offside position when he leaps for the cross and seemingly impacts the play.Yet VAR did not chalk it off – despite a similar incident seeing Bournemouth have a goal ruled out on the same day.Halsey told SunSport’s The Whistleblower show: “I thought it was offside because you are offside if you challenge an opponent for the ball or clearly attempt to play a ball which is close when the action impacts on an opponent.”This is making an obvious action which clearly impacts the ability of an opponent to play the ball. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”So if you’re looking at offside, technically he was offside because he did challenge for the ball and then ducked his head. “It clearly impacted on Aaron Ramsdale because like you say, he thinks Merino is going to win the ball.’Bruno Fernandes red card was huge VAR error’ in Man Utd loss to Spurs | Whistleblower, Mark Halsey”But he ducks at the last moment and then leaves it for Martinelli. “So for me, I think that should have been disallowed, that goal, because it was clearly offside. “He clearly made an attempt to play the ball.”It is inconsistencies again. It is a massive moment in the game. “For Southampton, they’re struggling at the moment coming up from the Championship and who knows?”It was not the only controversial decision of the week as Crystal Palace felt their should have had a penalty against Liverpool.Virgil van Dijk appeared to pull Marc Guehi to the deck from a corner, with Halsey convinced the ref should have pointed the spot.He explained: “I thought it was a clear penalty.”Simon Hooper, did he have a good viewing angle? Was he blocked by some of the players? But that is what VAR is there for. For me, I thought it was a clear holding offence.READ MORE SUN STORIES”VAR’s David Coote should have come in on that and recommended a review.”Watch the full episode of The Whistleblower at the top of this article – where Halsey fumes over the laws of the game.Palace felt they should have had a penalty for Virgil van Dijk’s tug on Marc GuehiCredit: TNT Sports More

FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey claims Bruno Fernandes was incorrectly sent off during Manchester United’s clash with Tottenham on Sunday.Fernandes saw red in the 42nd minute of the match following a challenge on James Maddison.Bruno Fernandes was sent off during Man Utd’s clash with TottenhamCredit: ReutersThe midfielder caught James Maddison’s shin with his boot after slippingWhile lunging in for a tackle, the 30-year-old slipped and caught the side of Maddison’s shin with his boot.Referee Chris Kavanagh immediately brandished the red card, leaving both Fernandes and manager Erik ten Hag baffled.VAR agreed with the on-field decision to confirm the United captain’s dismissal just a few moments before half-time.However, ex-Prem ref Halsey believes a review should have been recommended instead.Read More in FootballHe told SunSport: “It was a tough one for Chris Kavanagh because in real time it did look like a poor challenge.”So we cannot be critical of Chris in that situation. When I saw the challenge again, I thought straight away – it’s not a red card.”If we look at the law for serious foul play, a tackle or challenge that endangers an opponent with excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.”Whether the challenge is a lunge from the front, the side, the back, it must be sanctioned as a red card.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Now that, for me, that challenge didn’t meet the criteria of serious foul play.”What you can be critical of is VAR because when you look at it again and you see it again, it’s not.Bruno Fernandes rages in live TV interview after being SENT OFF for first time in Man Utd career vs Tottenham”The challenge doesn’t meet the criteria. Yes, he slips and it’s the back of his heel that goes down the side of his shin pad. But for me, when VAR look at that and they confirm the decision, I’m looking at that and thinking, do they know the law?”So in my opinion, I think it was a wrongful dismissal. Had VAR afforded Chris Kavanagh another look, so recommended a review, then I’m sure that Chris would have changed his mind and Bruno Fernandes would not have been sent off from the field of play.”So I believe that Manchester United have got a strong case for an appeal and they should do that.”Halsey went on to criticise PGMOL chief Howard Webb for his poor handling of some decisions so far this season.He continued: “They look at red cards and you can upgrade them from a yellow to red. You can downgrade a red to a yellow now. That’s what should have happened here.”So again, Howard Webb has got to look at his training education.”Another thing that really annoys me is the nonsense that comes out from the matchday centre.”Regarding the challenge, they need someone there that actually knows the law. The law is clear on serious foul play and that was not serious foul play that endangered the player’s safety with excessive force or brutality.”So for me, VAR should have looked at that and recommended a review. And, as I say, once Chris had gone and looked at it, and had a review got recommended, then he would have changed decision.”There are so many inconsistencies, Howard has got to sort this out.”Man Utd went on to lose 3-0 to Tottenham at Old Trafford, leaving them 12th in the Premier League table.Fernandes himself also insisted he should not have been sent off.He said: “Even James Maddison when he gets up he said it’s not a red card. If this is a red card we have to look at many other incidents.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t call him [referee] to the screen.”The red card makes it worse. I have to appreciate all the effort my team-mates have done to try and return to the game but it wasn’t possible. They showed great effort and character and I was happy for that.”Man Utd ratings vs TottenhamMANCHESTER UNITED suffered a 3-0 thrashing against Tottenham at Old Trafford.Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half for fouling James Maddison, forcing Erik Ten Hag’s side to play with 10 men against Ange Postecoglou’s team.After back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente fans hoped United would redeem themselves against Spurs.However, the match at Old Trafford quickly turned sour. Brennan Johnson scored early and things worsened when Fernandes was sent off allowing Spurs to extend their lead to 3-0.And here is how SunSports Charlie Wyett rated the Manchester United stars.Andre Onana – 5Stood his ground to deliver a good save from Timo Werner who was clean through – no chance for either goal.Noussair Mazraoui – 5First in the refs’ book for chopping down Destiny Udogie. Could also have blocked Micky van de Ven for the goal. Just watched Solanke make it 3-0.Matthijs de Ligt – 4Shocking first half. Failed to cut out the cross from Micky van de Ven which led to the first goal.Lisandro Martinez – 5Switched off for the Spurs goal and was drawn to the ball and Johnson was left unmarked.Diogo Dalot – 5Gave the ball away in dangerous areas and struggled against Johnson.Manuel Ugarte – 5Suffered a stinker and was lucky to last until the 73rd minute.Kobbie Mainoo – 5Not one of his better performances and was taken off just before half-time following Fernandes’ sending-off.Marcus Rashford – 5Over-ran the ball for Tottenham’s first. Way off the pace.Bruno Fernandes – 4Arguably the worst captain in United’s history. Deserved red card for his challenge on James Maddison.Alejandro Garnacho – 6Had United’s only chance in the first half but hit the outside of the post. Improved in the second half.Joshua Zirkzee – 5Looked completely lost up front – threatening to be another poor Erik ten Hag signing. Replaced at half-time.Subs:Mount (for Mainoo 45)  5, Casemiro (for Zirkzee 46) 7, Hojlund (for Rashford 73) 5, Eriksen (for Ugarte 73) 5. More