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      New angle emerges of RB Leipzig ‘handball’ which shows why VAR didn’t give Man City penalty in last seconds

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      MANCHESTER CITY fumed after they were denied a late penalty against RB Leipzig.But one crucial replay shows Rodri’s header came off the shoulder of Benjamin Heinrichs, not his arm.
      “We’ve had to wait, but the good thing is we’ve cleared it up!!”New angles emerge as Man City’s penalty claims look to come off the defender’s shoulder…Thoughts…? 🤔⤵️ pic.twitter.com/dAHOpUoQk5— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 22, 2023

      The ball struck Benjamin Heinrichs’ shoulderCredit: BT Sport
      At first footage appeared to show the full-back moving his hand towards the ball to clear Rodri’s header.
      That sparked mass appeals from the City players, but referee Serdar Gozubuyuk waved away their protests.
      And he made the correct decision as the ball struck Heinrich’s left shoulder – he did not swipe it away using his right hand.
      But BT Sport Rio Ferdinand, who was adamant it was a penalty upon first viewing, still was unsure after seeing the latest replay.
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      Owen Hargreaves felt the replay cleared up any doubt, with it showing Heinrichs arm was also directly against his body.
      City boss Pep Guardiola refused to be drawn into the debate when asked about the decision not to award his side a penalty.
      When asked about the incident he responded: “I didn’t see it.
      “I saw my players but didn’t see the image. It was already checked.
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      “We didn’t talk about the referee decision [at full time]. We know what goes on the past the present and the future. It happened, the referee decide no. It’s no.”
      City drew 1-1 in Leipzig after Riyad Mahrez’s first-half goal was cancelled out by Josko Gvardiol’s towering header. More

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      Fans accuse VAR of being ‘rigged’ as Marcus Rashford looks offside after scoring second goal in 3-0 win over Leicester

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      ANGRY fans claimed VAR is “RIGGED” after Marcus Rashford’s second goal in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Leicester was allowed to stand – despite replays suggesting he was offside.The striker’s second strike followed his opener in Sunday’s Prem clash, before Jadon Sancho stabbed the third.
      The initial view of the incident made it appear Marcus Rashford was offsideCredit: Sky Sports
      It was an incredibly tight call
      Rashford celebrates after his strike on 56 minutes was allowed, killing off Leicester’s hopes of a Prem comebackCredit: Getty

      Before the lines were drawn on the replay of Rashford’s controversial effort the images appeared to show he was just in front of Leicester’s last defender when Fred slipped him through.
      Some observers accused Prem chiefs of being “corrupt” and accused VAR of being biased towards United.
      But remember Japan’s winning goal against Spain in the World Cup – when post-match replays showed the whole of the ball hadn’t gone out of play before it was crossed?
      Some fans perhaps recalled it – as they pointed out that maybe the angles shown for Rashford’s position were also misleading.
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      When the lines were drawn, they showed Rashford was just behind the defender.
      Despite that, social media was staggered the in-form England hero’s goal was allowed.
      One viewer said: “How on earth was that onside? Football is rigged.”

      Another said: “Prem’s corrupt no red card or offside” and a third posted: “How on earth was that onside? Literally offside, so rigged”.
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      Victory put third-placed United three points off neighbours City and five adrift of leaders Arsenal, who have a game in hand on both Manchester giants.
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      And Rashford now has 17 club goals this term, which OptaJoe pointed out is the highest total in a single campaign by a United player since 19 from Wayne Rooney in 2011-2012.
      Appreciative Red Devils’ fans posted tributes like “And they said @Cristiano is the GOAT” plus “And we’re only half way to the season”.
      United scorers Jadon Sancho and Rashford rejoice as the home side went third in the Premier League with a comfortable victoryCredit: EPA

      17 – Marcus Rashford has scored 17 goals at Old Trafford across all competitions in 2022-23 – the most by a player in a single season for Manchester United since Wayne Rooney in 2011-12 (19). Dreams. pic.twitter.com/etD25mIkmn— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 19, 2023 More

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      Man Utd star Marcel Sabitzer lucky to escape red card as Graeme Souness accuses him of DELIBERATE X-rated tackle

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      MARCEL SABITZER somehow avoided a red card for a horror studs-up tackle into Wout Faes’ knee.And Graeme Souness accused the on-loan Manchester United midfielder of DELIBERATELY trying to hurt his opponent in the X-rated challenge.
      Marcel Sabitzer escaped a red card for this tackle on Wout FaesCredit: Sky Sports
      The on-loan midfielder went into the knee with his studsCredit: Sky Sports
      Faes was fortunate to avoid serious injuryCredit: Sky Sports

      Faes and Sabitzer battled for the ball on the edge of the Leicester penalty area in the 41st minute at Old Trafford.
      The big-haired Belgian got there first and kicked it away.
      And with the ball already gone, Austrian Sabitzer arrived late and turned his body to stick a full set of studs into Faes’ knee.
      Faes needed treatment from the Foxes physios but was thankfully not seriously hurt and able to carry on.
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      Referee Stuart Attwell gave a free-kick to the visitors but inexplicably did not show a card.
      And during the stoppage, VAR Paul Tierney looked at the replays but decided against intervening.
      Souness said on Sky Sports: “I think this is red for several reasons. He’s on his heels when it breaks to him.
      “He’s turned side on to him – if you’re gonna do someone that’s what you do – go side on.
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      “He’s looking for the player.”
      After being told the VAR officials looked at the incident but felt no further action was needed, Souness added: “I don’t care what ref who’s never played the game has to say.
      “If that’s not dangerous I don’t know what is.”
      Ex-United defender Gary Neville thought the challenge warranted a yellow card because Sabitzer did not follow through or go in with lots of force.
      But viewers watching on at home were left in disbelief that the 28-year-old Bayern Munich man was allowed to continue on the pitch and were convinced the shocking tackle was worthy of a red card.
      ‘TERRIBLE’
      One said: “What is the actual point of VAR when this is not given a red card? Absolutely terrible from the referee and the VAR.”
      Another wrote: “Old Trafford luck saving Sabitzer from a clear red card.”
      A third added: “You can file that Sabitzer foul under the ‘Granit Xhaka gets sent off for that’ catalogue.”
      And a final user commented: “How Sabitzer was sent off for this I will never understand.”
      Leicester’s frustration only grew further immediately after midfielder Papy Mendy was booked early in the second half for a clean sliding tackle on Marcus Rashford, who had put the Red Devils in front on 25 minutes.
      And United got the break with VAR yet again at Old Trafford when Rashford made it 2-0.
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      The goal was initially chalked off when the assistant’s flag went up and replays appeared to show he was just offside – only for the green line to appear and award the goal.
      Sub Jadon Sancho made it 3-0 on the hour mark as the 11 men of United ran rampant. More

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      Ex-Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg reveals how VAR is making referees WORSE amid string of awful decisions

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      MARK CLATTENBURG has slammed VAR and claims it is making referees worse.The ex-Premier League referee revealed the introduction of VAR almost made him quit officiating.
      Mark Clattenburg claims VAR is making refs fearful to make decisionsCredit: Getty
      PGMOL chief Howard Webb called a meeting with refs this week to address the problems with VARCredit: Getty
      He believes it made him more hesitant to make on-field decisions, and more reliant on VAR.
      Clattenburg claims Prem refs are fearful of making an incorrect decision and having it overturned – but that leads to VAR not intervening at all, as happened when the ball struck Tomas Soucek’s hand in West Ham’s draw with Chelsea last weekend.
      Clattenburg, 47, explained the issue to old William Hill and Footy Accumulators’ podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, saying: “VAR has caused a big problem.
      “It happened to me when I went to China, I started not refereeing, and I actually relied on the VAR. For the first month I felt like I was going to quit.
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      “I thought, what am I doing? I’ve lost my core ability to make a decision. As a referee you make split second decisions and I was so comfortable at doing it.
      “I’d made lots of decisions in the Premier League and I didn’t need VAR – well I could’ve needed it sometimes, but not to the amount that they’re using it now.
      “When I see these referees now week in, week out, there is a fear, and they’re scared to make a decision. The problem is when you’re scared to make a decision you don’t make one, and then the VAR doesn’t make one either.
      “If we look at the West Ham decision against Chelsea on Saturday [Tomas Soucek’s handball]… Because the referee doesn’t give it, the VAR then goes ‘I don’t want to give it because he’s breaking his fall’, so it compounds the mistake.
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      “If the referee just gave the penalty as he should have seen it and had the courage to blow, the VAR would’ve supported it. So, we have still got all of these problems with the referees not making the original decisions like we did in our time and that’s the difference.”
      VAR has come under a lot of scrutiny in recent weeks with the Premier League forced to apologise to Brighton and Arsenal after mistakes potentially cost them points last weekend.
      PGMOL chief Howard Webb called an emergency meeting to try and solve the problems while John Brooks was taken off VAR duty this week after incorrectly ruling a goal offside in Crystal Palace’s draw with Brighton. More

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      Mark Halsey: Why I would NOT have awarded Arsenal first-half penalty in Man City showdown.. it was harsh on Ederson

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      ARSENAL were awarded a first-half penalty when Ederson collided with Eddie Nketiah – but it was a harsh decision by referee Anthony Taylor.The Manchester City keeper came out and Nketiah got his shot away before the momentum of both players saw a coming together, so I wouldn’t have awarded a spot-kick.
      Mark Halsey was a Prem ref between 1999 and 2013Credit: Rex

      This is the sort of incident that you often see in the Premier League where no foul is given.
      Taylor made a subjective call by pointing to the spot – which is what refs’ chief Howard Webb wants – and because it was not a clear and obvious error then VAR did not get involved.
      But had the penalty award not been given, VAR would not have intervened either.
      Ederson was already on a caution but this was not a second yellow-card offence.
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      Not every foul awarded requires a card and Taylor deemed it careless rather than reckless.
      It was a good spot by Taylor when he correctly waved away a penalty appeal after Leandro Trossard went down in the box as Kyle Walker challenged.

      Football fans joked Arsenal were awarded a controversial penalty against Man City to make up for referees’ blunder weekend – and even Piers Morgan was mystified, writes SunSport’s Joshua Jones.
      Mikel Arteta was still seething four days on from the calamitous error by bungling VAR Lee Mason that let Brentford’s offside equaliser stand when the Citizens arrived in North London.
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      Just before half-time, ref Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot when Eddie Nketiah was bundled into by Ederson.
      Nathan Ake cleared off the line but replacement VAR David Coote – who came in for John Brooks after his own howler at Selhurst Park – saw no reason to overturn Taylor’s on-field decision.
      That was despite Gary Neville declaring on Twitter: “Not a pen that!”
      And Gunners-mad Morgan added: “BOOOOOOOM! 1-1. Brilliant penalty by Saka (even if I have no idea why it was given… 🤣).”
      Fans also joked that the refs were trying to balance the decisions out with one writing on Twitter: “Arsenal were robbed over the weekend, so they’ve been gifted the equalizer here tonight.” More

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      Fans all have same theory after Arsenal are awarded controversial pen vs Man City – and even Piers Morgan can’t see foul

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      FOOTBALL fans joked Arsenal were awarded a controversial penalty against Man City to make up for referees’ blunder weekend – and even Piers Morgan was mystified.Mikel Arteta was still seething four days on from the calamitous error by bungling VAR Lee Mason that let Brentford’s offside equaliser stand when the Citizens arrived in North London.
      Ederson was penalised for his foul on Eddie NketiahCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

      Just before half-time, ref Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot when Eddie Nketiah was bundled into by Ederson.
      Nathan Ake cleared off the line but replacement VAR David Coote – who came in for John Brooks after his own howler at Selhurst Park – saw no reason to overturn Taylor’s on-field decision.
      That was despite Gary Neville declaring on Twitter: “Not a pen that!”
      And Gunners-mad Morgan added: “BOOOOOOOM! 1-1. Brilliant penalty by Saka (even if I have no idea why it was given… 🤣)”
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      Fans took to Twitter with a host of hilarious responses – claiming the penalty was soft but given to balance things out.
      One said: “Arsenal were robbed over the weekend, so they’ve been gifted the equalizer here tonight.”
      Another wrote: “There’s Arsenal’s reward paid back after that dodgy VAR from the weekend. So corrupt.”
      A third added: “They felt sorry for Arsenal after the weekend. LOL this is what the refs in England are doing now.”
      Most read in FootballIt was a harsh decision, says Mark HalseyBy Mark Halsey

      ARSENAL’S first-half penalty when Ederson collided with Eddie Nketiah was a harsh decision by referee Anthony Taylor.
      The Manchester City goalkeeper came out and Nketiah got his shot away before the momentum of both players saw a coming together so I wouldn’t have awarded a spot-kick.
      This is the sort of incident you often see in the Premier League where no foul is given.
      Taylor made a subjective call by pointing to the spot – which is what refs’ chief Howard Webb wants – and because it was not a clear and obvious error then VAR did not get involved.
      However, had the penalty award not been given then VAR would not have intervened.
      Ederson was already on a caution but this was not a second yellow card offence. Not every foul awarded on the field of play requires a card and Taylor deemed the challenge was careless rather than reckless.
      It was a good spot by Taylor when he correctly waved away a penalty appeal when Leandro Trossard went down in the box as Kyle Walker came in to challenge.

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      Another quipped: “Dodgy decision at the weekend went against Arsenal so now they’re getting a soft penalty? P*** off.”
      One typed: “Arsenal fans are you going to stop crying about PMGOL and refs now?”
      A Manchester United fan replied: “Literally no Arsenal fan or player was even thinking of a pen in that play until the ref gave it.”
      And a final user commented: “That penalty was given to Arsenal to try to make up for the incorrect offside call from the weekend.”

      Bukayo Saka made no mistake from the spot, coolly rolling into the bottom corner and sending Ederson the wrong way to score the equaliser.
      However, it wasn’t enough for Arsenal to secure a point with Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland netting in the second half as the champions won 3-1. More

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      Arsenal fans left fuming as VAR blunder official is brought back for their match vs Aston Villa

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      ARSENAL fans raged after a VAR blunder referee was appointed for their crunch clash with Aston Villa.The Gunners were left fuming on Saturday when Lee Mason failed to spot two offsides in the build-up to Brentford’s equaliser at the Emirates.
      John Brooks will be fourth official when Aston Villa host ArsenalCredit: Getty
      That goal saw Arsenal drop points for the fifth time this season.
      But their anger only worsened when John Brooks was revealed as the fourth official for Saturday’s trip to Villa Park.
      Like Mason, Brooks was at the centre of controversy when he was the VAR that disallowed Brighton a legitimate goal against Crystal Palace because the offside lines were drawn on the wrong defender.
      Brooks – who reached the Premier League as an assistant before dropping back down the pyramid to do the same as a referee – was brought off VAR duties for the Merseyside derby and Arsenal’s home showdown with Manchester City this week.
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      Now, barring a freak injury to Simon Hooper or either of the assistants, Brooks’ role this weekend will be limited to off-field matters including overseeing substitutes – and dealing with Mikel Arteta on the sideline.
      Some Arsenal supporters, though, were unhappy Brooks was brought back into action so soon – while others felt the reaction to his mistake has been exaggerated.
      One fan said: “Dropped this weekend and then will be back. Same ole carousel of rubbish.”
      Another wrote: “Those precious two points dropped could cause Arsenal the league. He should be suspended or completely banned from VAR.”
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      And a third added: “Well hopefully he knows how to operate the subs board and doesn’t put up the wrong numbers.”
      But another user commented: “That’s amazing… massive mistake on Saturday, dropped for a game on Monday and Wednesday but back to work Saturday… this punishment seems a bit over the top.”
      One of the Premier League’s – and the world’s – best officials is in charge when Arsenal host City tomorrow, with Anthony Taylor the man in the middle for the top-of-the-table contest.
      But Arteta is still reeling from the decision against Brentford.
      The Spaniard said: “I will only be satisfied if they give me the two points back which is not going to be the case.
      “I appreciate what I think were really sincere, open and genuine apologies and explanations which is really good.
      “But it doesn’t change the fact that we have two points less on the table.
      “Everybody makes mistakes, and we are part of that, the first one being myself. But that was something else.
      “I wasn’t having it, the club weren’t having it and I think it’s clear the consequences of what happened.
      “It’s not for me to judge. It’s not about someone making a mistake and then let’s crucify him.
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      “It’s trying to do the best that we can together to have a fairer sport and make the decisions clearer and better.
      “Hopefully that will help because of what happened last weekend.” More

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      ‘That was not understanding your job’ – Arteta blasts ‘unacceptable’ VAR after blunder in Arsenal draw with Brentford

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      MIKEL ARTETA fumed after Arsenal were issued an apology following VAR controversy against Brentford. Official Lee Mason came under fire when he failed to spot an offside in the build up to Brentford’s leveller at the Emirates on Saturday.
      Mikel Arteta fumed after Arsenal were issued an apology following VAR controversyCredit: Getty
      Mason supposedly forgot to draw the lines to determine if Christian Norgaard was offside as he was looking at another incident in the build-up to Brentford’s leveller in the 1-1 draw.
      It left Ivan Toney to score what could be a killer equaliser to Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes come the end of the season.
      The refereeing body, the PGMOL, wrote to Arsenal to apologise citing human error, and Howard Webb called an emergency meeting with all officials.
      But a seething Arteta said: “We ended the game with a huge anger and disappointment because that wasn’t a human error, that was not understanding your job and that is not acceptable.
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      “That cost Arsenal two points and that’s not going to be restored.”
      Mason currently only works on VAR after retiring as an on-pitch official, but he has been stood down from his duties this weekend.
      The 51-year-old was not included in the Premier League’s list of appointments for the upcoming round of fixtures.
      Arsenal dropped points for the second game in a row after defeat to Everton the week before.
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      And despite having a game in hand over champions and second-placed Manchester City, the gap is now narrowed to only three points.
      After the match, Arteta raged: “I just looked back and it is offside. Have they explained why it wasn’t allowed? No.
      “It is frustrating but they will probably give an explanation later in the week. Today we haven’t got one.
      “You have to apply certain principles in defending and you do that by sticking to the rules.
      “Suddenly you change the rules and then you have to change your principles. So tell us before so then you don’t hold the line that high.
      “Because you’re always going to have an advantage if you get blocked. You cannot block if you are offside.”
      VAR missed Brentford’s offside More