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      Ex-Premier League referee Mark Halsey reveals why West Ham penalty against Arsenal should NOT have been overturned

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      FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey has revealed why West Ham’s penalty against Arsenal was NOT overturned.The Gunners were frustrated with the call that gave the Hammers the opportunity to get back in the game at 2-0 down.
      Mark Halsey has praised David Coote for his decisions in the West Ham vs Arsenal gameCredit: PA
      West Ham were offered a route back into the game when Lucas Paqueta was fouled in the boxCredit: EPA
      After Thomas Partey was caught in possession by Declan Rice, the ball was squared to Lucas Paqueta who was clipped by Gabriel in the box, despite the defender’s best efforts to avoid contact with his fellow Brazilian.
      David Coote immediately pointed to the spot, with VAR confirming the call – gifting West Ham their first goal.
      Some Arsenal fans weren’t convinced there was enough contact for a penalty to be given.
      While others pointed to an apparent handball by Rice while dispossessing Partey.
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      But Halsey, now 61, refereed in the Premier League from 1999-2013 – and he believes the Paqueta penalty was the right call.
      He told SunSport: “Lucas Paqueta went past Gabriel and it’s clear the Arsenal defender caught him so it was an obvious penalty.
      “It was a careless challenge and Arsenal cannot have any complaints.
      “There were suggestions Declan Rice handled the ball in the build up, but even if there was contact, it looked to be accidental and accidental handball is not an offence.
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      “VAR would not get involved in that situation because it was subjective.”
      Arsenal, themselves, were awarded a second half penalty when Michail Antonio was adjudged to have handled in the box.
      Again, Coote had no hesitations in pointing to the spot, which was the right decision again, according to Halsey.
      “The law is clear, if you’re making yourself bigger and your arms are out and move towards the ball, the referee will give a penalty,” Halsey said.
      “We see a lot of those given week in, week out.
      “That’s why the handball law is an ass.
      “They changed the law to try and simplify it but the new law has made it even more confusing.
      “The VAR was never going to overturn that. Both penalty decisions were correct.
      “We want to see the on-field referee making decisions. We don’t want referees not getting involved and waiting for VAR to help.
      “And fair play to David Coote because he made the decisions himself yesterday.”
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      Unfortunately for Arsenal, Bukayo Saka missed his penalty – that could have put Mikel Arteta’s title-challenging side in a commanding 3-1 lead.
      Instead, just moments later, they were pegged back to 2-2 when Jarrod Bowen squeezed an effort into the corner to dent Arsenal’s title hopes. More

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      Brighton fume again as VAR refuses to give them another penalty at Chelsea after Christian Pulisic handball

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      BRIGHTON were left fuming after ANOTHER refereeing decision went against them. The Seagulls were adamant they should have been awarded a penalty when the ball struck the arm of Christian Pulisic during their match against Chelsea.
      Brighton were denied a penalty after a Christian Pulisic handballCredit: Rex
      It comes after Brighton were handed an apology by PGMOL for a wrong decision against Tottenham
      However, referee Robert Jones waved play on, while VAR official Chris Kavanagh deemed it not to be a penalty.
      Fuming Brighton fans took to Twitter to voice their frustration.
      One said: “That’s not a handball on Pulisic? He smacked the ball.”
      A second typed: “Blatant handball by Pulisic inside the Chelsea box.”
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      A third commented: “How is that not a handball on Pulisic, is VAR not working?”
      “Pulisic blatant handball lmao and VAR haven’t given it 😂😂😂😂,” remarked a fourth.
      A fifth added: “That Pulisic handball was as clear as we’ve seen.”
      While another declared: “The FA doesn’t want Brighton to reach UCL loool, that was a blatant handball by Pulisic.”
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      Fortunately for Brighton, it made little difference as they came from behind to win 2-1 thanks to goals from super subs Danny Welbeck and Julio Enciso.
      The controversy involving Brighton comes after they were given an apology by ref body PGMOL.
      It came following a mistake by VAR when they decided not to award a penalty when Karou Mitoma was brought down in the area by Pierre Emile Hojbjerg. More

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      West Ham fans slam ‘absolute b*****s’ decision to rule out Aguerd goal for handball after keeper howler and VAR check

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      WEST HAM fans were raging that a Nayef Aguerd goal was ruled out against Gent after a goalkeeping howler. The Hammers are in Belgian for the first-leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final tonight.
      West Ham’s Aguerd thought he had given the Hammers the lead after a keeper howlerCredit: BT Sport
      Fans were fuming when it was disallowed by VAR for handballCredit: Getty
      After a fairly even opening, David Moyes’ side looked to have been handed the lead moments before the break.
      Gent ‘keeper Davy Roef literally gifted them a goal from a corner.
      The set-piece was swung in from the right straight towards the stopper and his outstretched arms.
      But the easy catch was fumbled, with Roef dropping the ball onto the nearby Aguerd, then rebounding back off him and across the line.
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      The embarrassed looking West Ham defender knew little about it as his team-mates celebrated with him.
      However, VAR soon intervened and they determined that the goal would be ruled out as the ball had been spilled onto his hand – and it left supporters raging.
      One tweeted: “That’s b*****ks….he didn’t score with his hand, keeper had the last touch?”
      Another agreed, saying it was “absolute b*****ks” while another said it was a “disgrace”.
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      While another said: “They cheated West Ham out that goal. That was not a handball. Just a sorry ass GK mistake.”
      However, that anger soon turned to joy as Danny Ings rifled the Hammers ahead from close-range in the dying seconds of the half.
      But they were pegged back shortly after the restart. More

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      Referee forced to deny explosive claims he arrived for match DRUNK and fought with fans after he is replaced for game

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      A REFEREE denied “fake news” claiming he and three other officials arrived drunk and fought other passengers before officiating a match in Greece.First official Pawel Raczkowski, his assistants Radoslaw Siejka as well as Adam Kupcik and VAR ref Krzysztof Jakubik have categorically denied those reports and stated they were in fact the ones assaulted.
      Referees deny reports claiming they showed up drunk before officiating in GreeceCredit: Reuters
      According to Sport24, the four refs landed in an intoxicated state at Athens International Airport on Saturday, something that was “confirmed” by AEK Athens who were set to face Aris with the Polish refs officiating tonight at OPAP Arena.
      There were also claims the referee didn’t communicate with Greece’s football governing body EPO and “disappeared” after the alleged incident.
      However, Raczkowski immediately slammed those reports and insists he and his associates met with the body’s chief referee and former Premier League official Steve Bennett soon after.
      The Polish referee added that he and his colleagues were actually the ones who were threatened and assaulted by two people claiming to be Panathinaikos fans.
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      He added that he was “spat” at in the face and “pushed” by the alleged assailants until security intervened.
      Raczkowski issued the following statement: “In relation to the news bulletin about the purported situation at Athens International Airport from the 8th of April 2023, I want to categorically deny being intoxicated or exhibiting aggressive behaviour.
      “I was attacked by two Greek speaking Polish men. They identified themselves as Panathinaikos supporters and attacked me first, verbally accusing me of match-fixing, secondly physically by spitting on me an [sic] then pushing me.
      “I reported the situation to airport security who calmed the aggressive individuals down.
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      Referees met with Superleague chief ref Steve Bennett after the incidentCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      “After this I went directly to the hotel where I stayed all night. I deny all fake news about myself and the whole referee team.”
      According to Sport.pl, PZPN Referees Board chairman Tomasz Mikulski backed Raczkowski’s version of events.
      EPO made the decision to replace the four refs with Greek counterparts, led by Aristotelis Diamantopoulos, even though it was decided only international officials would oversee the play-offs.
      That led to a fiery response from Olympiacos, who are owned by Nottingham Forest supremo Evangelos Marinakis.
      The reigning Greek champions described the “made up” incident as a “coup”, a “disgrace” as well as “badly written show” and labelled EPO chiefs as a “gang”. More

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      PGMOL apologise to Brighton for huge Tottenham blunder as they are ‘robbed’ after FIVE controversial decisions

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      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.
      Brighton controversially had two goals ruled out by VAR during their 2-1 defeat to TottenhamCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      It is the third time this season that the PGMOL have apologised to BrightonCredit: Premier League
      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.
      Clement Lenglet wasn’t punished for what appears to be a handballCredit: bbc match of the day
      Lewis Dunk clearly had his shirt pulled in the box but again no penalty was givenCredit: match of the day
      Alexis Mac Allister was judged to have handled the ball in the build up to Danny Welbeck’s goalCredit: bbc match of the day
      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’.
      Read More on The Sun
      “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. More

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      Lewis Dunk forced to apologise after X-rated interview following Brighton’s defeat to Tottenham

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      LEWIS DUNK was forced to apologise for swearing in an X-rated interview after Brighton were controversially beaten by Tottenham.Harry Kane netted the winner after Dunk himself equalised following Son-Heung min’s sensational opener.
      Lewis Dunk slammed VAR after Brighton were beaten by Tottenham
      Dunk’s goal was not enough as the Seagulls went down 2-1Credit: Getty
      Brighton had two goals ruled out for handballCredit: Reuters
      But Brighton were left fuming after goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Alexis Mac Allister were both ruled out for handball.
      Fans were left in disbelief that Mitoma’s effort was disallowed, claiming the ball had in fact hit him on the shoulder.
      The Seagulls also felt they should have been given a penalty when Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg appeared to trip Mitoma in the box.
      Spurs interim boss Cristian Stellini and Brighton gaffer Roberto De Zerbi were both sent off following a melee between the two dugouts after Mac Allister’s strike was ruled out.
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      And a seething Dunk did not hold back at VAR in his post-match interview.
      The centre-back dropped an F-bomb at the start of the chat, before quickly apologising.
      But his rant continued.
      He fumed: “There’s no point having VAR in the game if you’re not going to make big decisions like that.
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      “That changes everything, I just don’t understand it.
      “They can make the decision for the handball but can’t make the other ones, I think they made one tight decision for a handball but they don’t make a clear decision on the penalty.”
      Earlier this season, PGMOL chief Howard Webb apologised to Brighton after Pervis Estupinan wrongly had a goal disallowed for offside in a 1-1 draw with rivals Crystal Palace. More

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      Fans say Brighton were ‘robbed’ as Mitoma’s goal against Tottenham is disallowed for ‘handball’ after VAR review

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      BRIGHTON fans were left fuming after Kaoru Mitoma’s goal against Tottenham was ruled out by VAR.The Japanese winger latched onto an aeriel through ball and fired past Hugo Lloris in the 16th minute of the game in North London.
      Kaoru Mitoma thought he had scored for Brighton against TottenhamCredit: Reuters
      But it was ruled out for handball
      It would have been a crucial goal as Brighton were trailing the North London side after Son Heung-min’s brilliant strike in the 10th minute.
      However, Mitoma’s goal was ruled out as he was judged to have controlled the ball with his arm by VAR.
      And fans of the South Coast side were seething at the decision as replays suggested that the ball hit his chest rather than his arm.
      Some even argued that Brighton should have had a penalty as Cristian Romero shoved the attacker before he got to the ball.
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      One fan tweeted: “Wonderful goal from Mitoma ruled out for handball, outrageous decision to rule it out.”
      A second commented: “This is outrageous… Romero pushed Mitoma and you can argue it was more chest than arm + the missed handball from earlier.”
      A third wrote: “It’s a penalty if not a goal, Romero clearly pushed Mitoma lol.”
      Another said: “Mitoma goal should’ve stood btw.”
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      While one added: “No way that was a handball on Mitoma, it was a perfectly taken goal, VAR is in shambles.”
      Another declared: “Robbed.”
      Brighton did manage to get back level as defender Lewis Dunk headed home after being left unmarked during a corner.
      The game’s start was delayed due to a technical problem and while this was going on the two opposing managers, Roberto De Zerbi and Cristian Stellini, also seemed to row on the touchline before the match kicked off. More

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      Mike Dean’s future ‘in doubt’ after he is snubbed from selection as Premier League VAR for TWO MONTHS

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      REFEREE Mike Dean’s future is in doubt after he was again not selected as a VAR official.He has now not been chosen to oversee any Premier League match for TWO MONTHS.
      Mike Dean’s future as a referee is in doubt after being snubbed for two monthsCredit: AFP
      ESPN claim that performance levels are part of the reason for him being dropped.
      Dean has not been at Stockley Park since Leicester’s 4-1 win over Tottenham on February 11.
      Since then, Howard Webb has become PGMOL’s chief and SunSport understands it’s his decision to snub the 54-year-old.
      Dean retired as an on-field referee at the end of last season after 22 years in the Premier League.
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      He has since moved to a role in the VAR hub only.
      But he has been unable to stay away from controversy when he failed to intervene to send off Spurs’ Cristian Romero when he pulled the hair of Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella.
      Webb has shaken up the PGMOL following a number of high-profile refereeing errors.
      Lee Mason failed to spot that Christian Norgaard was offside in the build-up to Ivan Toney netting an equaliser for Brentford against Arsenal in a 1-1 draw.
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      This led to Mason, who also stepped away from the pitch to be a VAR man, resigning from his role six days later.
      Human error was also blamed when John Brooks incorrectly disallowed a goal that Brighton had scored against Crystal Palace when he drew the offside line from the wrong player.
      Consequently, Brooks was taken off his appointments for two matches after.
      The Prem’s head of VAR Neil Swarbrick is also retiring at the end of this season. More