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    I’m still scratching my head at how Benzema’s goal wasn’t given in Champions League final – and Peter Walton never helps

    AS Boris Johnson struggles to convince us that partying during lockdown didn’t actually break any rules, maybe he should call in Peter Walton to clear things up.Because if anyone can defend the indefensible, it’s BT Sport’s refereeing expert.
    No clear reason has been given for Karim Benzema’s disallowed goal against LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
    Former ref Peter Walton couldn’t explain clearly why it was the right decisionCredit: Free for editorial use
    I am still scratching my head to understand how Karim Benzema’s Champions League final ‘goal’ was ruled out for offside.
    And once Walton had been called in to clarify matters for TV viewers, everything was as clear as mud.
    “It’s actually an easy one,” insisted the former Premier League official before giving the most complicated explanation imaginable.
    And after listening to him wittering away about Fabinho’s tackle being an accidental backwards deflection rather than a deliberate attempt to play the ball, I understood only one thing.
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    I don’t know the rules of football any more.
    After the best part of 40 years watching and reporting on the sport, that is quite some confession.
    But I’m certain I’m not the only one who is struggling to comprehend laws which are making a simple game as incomprehensible as cricket and Rugby Union.
    Confirmation of those suspicions arrived the day after the Champions League final, when Huddersfield were denied two penalties during their Championship play-off defeat by Nottingham Forest.
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    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Their first claim was open to debate because Harry Toffolo went down very easily when he brushed the outstretched leg of Jack Colback.
    But there was absolutely no doubt that Lewis O’Brien was fouled by Max Lowe as Huddersfield pressed for a late Wembley equaliser.
    Yet VAR Paul Tierney refused to get involved and I can only assume he didn’t want to embarrass Jon Moss in his final match before retirement.
    So now Moss has seen his record shop trashed and suffered online death threats while Huddersfield are left to complain about missing out on the £200million jackpot that comes with promotion to the Premier League.
    Burnley know exactly how they feel after the ridiculous penalty awarded against Ashley Barnes which condemned them to defeat by Spurs and took the wind out of their sales as they battled to beat the drop.
    RULES DON’T APPLY?
    It was another decision that was justified on a technicality by the rulebook aficionados but one that left the rest of us gobsmacked.
    So now there is talk of the Premier League clubs contemplating a move to oust referees’ chief Mike Riley from his position as general manager of the PGMOL.
    But Riley, as useless as he is, doesn’t make the changes to the rules which leave so many decisions open to interpretation.
    That’s down to the International Football Board, who meet again in two weeks’ time to decide how they’re next going to bugger things up.
    And the fact that they’re convening in Doha suggests it will be something that none of realises is an actual thing until it wins the World Cup for Qatar.
    Gareth Bale’s been clocking up some air miles this weekCredit: Getty
    PLANE SAILING FOR GARETH
    HAD to laugh when I read about Gareth Bale’s gruelling week of flying first class between Madrid, Paris, Wroclaw and Cardiff.
    Because let’s be honest, he can’t exactly be knackered by the 20 minutes of football he has played for club and country in the last two months.
    Maybe it’s the strain of lugging his £650,000-a-week salary around which has proved such a strain.
    It still hasn’t prevented him from being awarded an MBE in this week’s Jubilee Honours list, though.
    Presumably for his services to the banking sector.
    Trent Alexander-Arnold’s words came back to haunt him against Real MadridCredit: AFP
    EYE DON’T SPY
    IN an interview to preview the Champions League final, Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold declared: “I can see things others can’t see.”
    What a pity he couldn’t see Vinicius Junior sneaking in behind him to score Real Madrid’s winning goal.
    But he wasn’t the only one at the Parc des Princes suffering from blurred vision.
    The French interior minister who blamed the shambolic handling of the match on ticketless Liverpool supporters was even more blind to reality.
    The organisation was so bad that even Boris Johnson is now calling for an investigation. And we all know how seriously he takes official inquiries.
    But I’m guessing that the King of Spain and Rafa Nadal weren’t kettled and tear gassed by le Parisian riot police as they made their way to their posh seats. Odd that.
    The Monaco Grand Prix fell flat thanks to a mix of rain and a safety carCredit: Getty
    WATER WAY TO GO
    THE only thing that could possibly make the Monaco Grand Prix interesting is a spot of Riviera rain to test the skill of the drivers.
    But when the heavens opened up in Monte Carlo on Sunday, race officials delayed the start until the track had dried out and still went off behind a safety car.
    The inevitable outcome was less of a race and more of a procession, free from overtaking and decided by the quickest pit crews.
    It is hard to think of any other sport which shoots itself in the foot more regularly than Formula One.
    DEAL ME IN
    WITH no major tournament to distract us, it’s going to be a very long summer of transfer speculation.
    The good news is that every foreign player who says they won’t sign a new contract with their club will be a transfer boost for Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.
    And every player who joins someone will be a transfer blow.
    TECH NOT NEEDED
    YOU almost have to admire the obstinacy of the French Open refusing to use Hawkeye to settle disputed line calls.
    Why use modern technology when you can rely on the umpire jumping down from his chair to examine scuff marks in the clay?
    Especially when TV then uses that technology to show viewers where the ball actually landed.
    AIR WE GO
    IT’S good to see head of world athletics Lord Coe signing the sport up to the declaration for clean air campaign.
    Because with so many of the world’s best athletes taking asthma medication, it’s easy to understand why the IAAF are so concerned about pollution levels. More

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    VAR controversy mars Championship play-off final as Huddersfield are denied two penalties as Nottingham Forest go up

    VAR controversy marred the Championship play-off final as Huddersfield were denied two penalties in their defeat to Nottingham Forest.Steve Cooper guided his team back to the big time on Sunday thanks to Levi Colwill’s own goal in the 43rd minute.
    Huddersfield were denied a penalty by the ref and VAR for an apparent foul on Harry ToffoloCredit: Reuters
    Nottingham Forest then appeared to get away with a second penalty claim by Lewis O’BrienCredit: Sky Sports
    Forest will now be playing Premier League football for the first time in 23 years.
    But Huddersfield were left feeling hard done by at the final whistle.
    That’s because the Terriers believe they should have been given two clear penalties in the second half.
    The first one came in the 73rd minute when Harry Toffolo appeared to be brought down in the box by Jack Colback.
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    But referee Jon Moss immediately booked the Huddersfield man for diving.
    And despite replays suggesting there had been contact, a brief check by VAR chief Paul Tierney backed Moss’ decision.
    Huddersfield fans couldn’t believe it, with many wondering why VAR didn’t take a closer look.
    However, things didn’t improve for the Terriers with just six minutes left on the clock.
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    Lewis O’Brien was bundled over in the box by Max Lowe, prompting teammates to flood Moss for a penalty.
    However, he refused to play along with their protests, and instead ordered the game to get underway again.
    This time, Moss didn’t even bother talking with VAR about the incident.
    And fans were quick to react on social media to both decisions.
    In regards to Toffolo’s booking, one said: “Got to be a penalty.”
    Another noted: “Daylight robbery.”
    A third declared: “One of the clearest pens in the history of the sport.”
    Regarding the second controversial decision, one fan wrote: “That’s a clear penalty.”
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    Another said: “Even more than the first one… and that was nailed on.”
    A third added: “Another clean pen. What is the point of VAR?” More

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    How final Premier League table would look without VAR with Burnley surviving drop and West Ham out of Europe

    BURNLEY would have stayed up, and Leeds relegated, without VAR.SunSport has analysed all the on-field Prem decisions overturned by the video booth at Stockley Park.
    How the final Premier League table would have looked without VAR overturning decisions
    And while the top SIX would have finished in exactly the same order even if VAR did not exist, it would have been a very different situation at the bottom.
    Burnley’s woe at dropping out of the top flight will only be intensified by the study, which assumes that all penalties would have been scored had they been awarded.
    Without VAR intervention, the Clarets would have picked up FOUR more points, enough to take them comfortably clear of the drop zone in 16th place.
    Critical calls went against Burnley in four matches.
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    They  were originally awarded a spot-kick against Arsenal, with the chance to draw level late-on in that game then taken away by a review.
    A Chris Wood “winner” at Leicester was chalked off for offside, while two huge calls in their last two matches – the penalties awarded against Ashley Barnes at Spurs and then Nathan Collins against Newcastle – proved so costly.
    Leeds, by contrast, would have been doomed before their last-day heroics at Brentford.
    The Elland Road side would have won one game fewer, and drawn one more, over the season, leaving them two points worse off and relegated on goal difference behind Southampton.
    How the table ended up looking after Sunday
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    The Saints ended up with four points more than they would have done without the technology being employed.
    Over the entire season, 121 decisions were changed, two fewer than last season.
    A total of 43 goals were disallowed and 39 penalties awarded, with 13 goals given that were initially ruled out and nine penalties waived.
    West Ham, with 10, had the most decisions changed in their favour, while Leicester only had two positive overturns.

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    That, perhaps, explains why the “no VAR” table has the Foxes in the Conference League spot above the Hammers on goal difference, with Leicester five points better off without the Stockley Park calls.
    Relegated Norwich had 11 decisions changed to their detriment, although they would still have finished bottom of the table without VAR, while Liverpool and Southampton were VAR “victims” on just three occasions. More

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    Retiring referee Martin Atkinson reveals ex-Arsenal star Tomas Rosicky was his favourite player to deal with

    PREMIER LEAGUE referee Martin Atkinson revealed Tomas Rosicky was his favourite player to deal with – after the former Arsenal star invited him to ref his testimonial in the Czech Republic. And Atkinson said Alan Stubbs was the toughest player he has officiated, with the Everton hard man “scaring me to death”. 
    Atkinson is a big fan of the former Arsenal favourite after the former midfielder invited him to ref his testimonialCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Atkinson will hang up his whistle at the end of this season, after 17 years in the Premier League.
    He has many fond memories. But speaking at a Q&A in aid of North East mental health charity If U Care Share, the Prem whistler was asked who he enjoyed reffing most. His answer was Arsenal’s former Czech playmaker.
    Rosicky arrived in North London from Borussia Dortmund in 2006. 
    His 10 year spell with the Gunners was hampered by a series of long-term injuries but he won two FA Cups before leaving for Sparta Prague in 2016 and retiring the next year aged 37.
    And Leeds-fan Atkinson, 51, said: “I’ve been lucky that I’ve got on with the vast majority of players but one that stands out is Tomas Rosicky.
    “I always got on really well with him. We just pleasantly got on, not best mates or owt like that but he was always really respectful. 
    “And when he left Arsenal, when he retired eventually, an unknown email came through and it was from Sparta Prague asking if I will go out and referee his retirement game. 
    “You just never expect that and it was just a nice thing.” 
    Atkinson, a former police officer, made his top-flight bow in the 2004/05 season.  
    And he named burly centre-back Stubbs as the toughest player to try and keep under control. 
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Ronaldo, but now sell luxury watches in Mayfair shop
    Asked who he least enjoyed reffing, Atkinson said: “Alan Stubbs at Everton.
    “He would kick anything that moved, was hard as nails and scared me to death when I first got on.
    “He was just so tough to referee that it was, like, impossible. I learned a lot from that – you learn how to manage players.”
    No-nonsense Everton defender making a beeline for Atkinson in 2007Credit: Alamy More

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    Chelsea star Jorginho explains shocking West Ham penalty miss and blames VAR for making it ‘harder to focus’

    CHELSEA star Jorginho reckons VAR is to blame for his horrendous penalty miss against West Ham.The midfielder, 29, fluffed his lines from the spot in the 86th minute after Craig Dawson was sent off for a foul on Romelu Lukaku.
    Chelsea star Jorginho has blamed VAR for his penalty miss against West HamCredit: Getty
    Jorginho fired off a weak effort after his trademark skip, giving Lukasz Fabianski an easy save.
    And it appeared all hope was lost until sub Christian Pulisic popped up with a dramatic winner moments later.
    Jorginho has now apologised to Chelsea fans and teammates for his poor penalty.
    But the Italian, who won Euro 2020 and the Champions League last year before finishing third in the Ballon d’Or, believes ref Michael Oliver’s lengthy VAR check saw him lose focus.
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    Jorginho said: “This sort of pressure, especially in games like this when you need to win and it’s last minute, and you try to isolate your mind from all that pressure even though it’s hard.
    “And then you have the VAR so it takes longer, it’s harder to keep focus.
    “What you need to do and what I try to do is I try to isolate my mind of all this pressure, and unfortunately this time it didn’t work.
    “When you have that little moment of doubt that’s usually when you make the mistake. Maybe I had too much time to think about it, I don’t know.
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    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    “This time it went like that and I’m sorry. I feel bad because it’s not a nice feeling.”
    Jorginho is now being linked with a summer move away from Chelsea, with his contract expiring in 2023.
    Juventus are thought to be keen on the playmaker, who is in his fourth term at Stamford Bridge following a £50million switch from Napoli in 2018.
    But Jorginho’s agent Joao Santos insists his client will stay at Chelsea ‘100 per cent’.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}’I JUST FROZE’ .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Tim Westwood ‘victims reveal they felt “dirty” after he performed sex acts’
    Santos said: “Negotiations with Juventus? In the light of things and without a buyer, he stays in London 100 per cent.
    “At the moment there can be no talks with Juve. I have known (Juve sporting director Federico) Cherubini for 20 years, he is aware of the situation.” More

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    Steinhaus-Webb says helping Women’s Super League referees cope with intense public scrutiny is crucial

    BIBIANA STEINHAUS-WEBB believes helping elite women’s football referees handle growing scrutiny is vital with officials under the spotlight. And the WSL refs chief thinks the league has the potential to one day lead the way on global officiating standards.
    Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb says helping referees manage the increased scrutiny of their performance is crucialCredit: Reuters
    Steinhaus-Webb, who made history as the first woman to referee in Germany’s Bundesliga, was speaking nine months on from her appointment as PGMOL’s first women’s select group director.
    The Germany-born former referee, who is married to ex-Prem ref Howard Webb, oversees match officials in the WSL and Women’s Championship.
    Referees in the women’s top tier are in the spotlight with fixtures reaching bigger audiences with games aired on Sky Sports and the BBC.
    On occasions, some decisions have led to criticism of officiating along with calls for Premier League standard refereeing.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BEN & 10 .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Chelsea fans love Ben Chilwell hilariously gate-crashing Pulisic’s TV interview
    In November Neilsen’s sports research revealed the WSL could become the fourth most viewed domestic league on TV in the UK.
    And with that attention comes greater social media reaction to decisions.
    This includes moments such as a ball deflecting off the referee in the lead-up to a goal for Manchester City during their 1-1 draw with Arsenal in January.
    That scenario is one of a few that led some commentators and club managers to call for improved refereeing.
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    And Steinhaus-Webb highlights this as an example of why helping officials whose decisions are heavily scrutinised is so important.
    The PGMOL women’s select group director said: “The psychological support around them is crucial at the moment, especially at the moment because the referees are not used to it.
    “We had a situation at Manchester City vs Arsenal when the referee was hit by the ball, and a few seconds after City scored.
    “Abi Byrne was the referee and we spoke about this incident for days after.
    “Abi is an international referee with a really strong mentality and a huge amount of experience.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}OLD TRAFFORD TUSSLE .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Man Utd ready to host Fury’s undisputed bout with Joshua or Usyk
    “A few days after this game she said to me, ‘Bibi, you know what? I know that the exposure of the women’s game is so huge.
    “But this is the first time I can feel it. I can feel being recognised. Like being at the store the next day, and (people saying) ‘oh, I saw you on TV yesterday.’
    “She hasn’t done anything wrong, and this is the crazy bit.
    “You can discuss this situation for hours and hours — what is the best solution here? What do we expect the next time?
    “She was hit by the ball but then it just developed into an attacking situation.
    Referees’ decisions in the WSL have come in for greater attention with games getting more TV coverageCredit: Reuters
    “From a technical point of view, she did everything correct — she let play continue.
    “Going through this, the scrutiny, that was the first time she really realised how much exposure the game actually has.
    “And we are talking about a situation where we might have a totally different outcome because of a referee.
    “What we do is take care of our people. They are human beings, and we have to make sure they are ready to take approximately 300 decisions in every game.”
    Rebecca Welch is one of four English officials selected for duty at the Euros this summerCredit: Getty
    “We have regular meetings – not only in the different parts of the country where the officials come from- but we also we have our PGMOL conference (in June).
    “That’s when all the officials from the Premier League, the EFL and 40 of my girls from the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship come together.
    “These are the opportunities for all of the officials to get to know each other better and to speak about the challenges they are facing.”
    The potential use of VAR and goal-line technology in the women’s top tier has been a topical issue this season.
    In February EFL and WSL officials held discussions with PGMOL reps over the adoption of a low cost, light version of a video assistant referee.
    In England we are not only watching WSL examples. You have to a look around what happens in the rest of the world when it comes to refereeingBibiana Steinhaus-Webb
    However, a timescale for when a system could be introduced is yet to be confirmed.
    Steinhaus-Webb added: “We can discuss VAR lite, we can discuss VAR, and first of all it’s a question for the competition: Where do you want to put your investment in?
    “How do you prioritise? Do you want to grow the game and have more spectators first before you go [for] technology?
    “If one of the answers is ‘yes, we want more technology in the game, to support the referees’, then (there are) a lot of questions around how many cameras, which venues, how can we do it, what do we need?
    “We are in close contact with the competition department with the league, to discover all of the possible opportunities for the future. It’s (a case of) wait and see really.”.
    Steinhaus-Webb believes more training for match officials in the WSL could one day see the league lead the way on refereeing in women’s football.
    And she believes sharing ideas on best practices with counterparts in other countries is important.
    The former Bundesliga ref added: “Progressing in our own country is important and efficient and should be our focus.
    “But that being said, you have to a look around what happens in the rest of the world when it comes to refereeing.
    “In England, we are not only watching WSL examples we are also watching international examples, what happens all around the world.
    Steinhaus-Webb believes the WSL may one day set standards for match officiating internationallyCredit: Getty
    “We’ve been invited by the refereeing department in Germany to look at their new academy and refereeing strategy.
    “We discussed different things that work well
    “With the WSL we probably have one of the strongest leagues in the world, if not the strongest competition.
    “Give us a little bit more time and we will be leading the way on international officiating standards.” More

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    Man Utd outraged after Middlesbrough equalise despite clear Duncan Watmore handball.. even AFTER VAR check

    MANCHESTER UNITED were left fuming after Middlebrough equalised at Old Trafford – despite a blatant but crucially accidental handball. The ball clearly bounced up off sub Duncan Watmore’s hand as he controlled it in the penalty box.
    Duncan Watmore was not penalised despite a blatant handballCredit: Getty
    Manchester United complained to referee Anthony Taylor but their moans fell on deaf earsCredit: Getty

    Anthony Taylor did not blow his whistle, though.
    And knowing if he scored with his next touch the goal would be ruled out, the Middlesbrough striker lifted the ball over Dean Henderson but off target.
    Matt Crooks, a team-mate of Watmore’s in the United academy, carried on and arrived at the back post to slam in to make it 1-1 in their FA Cup fourth-round clash.
    However, United players, staff and fans could not believe the goal was allowed to stand – especially after a VAR review.
    Even Boro’s bench look bemused it was not ruled out.
    But like Taylor on the field, VAR Stuart Attwell adjudged the handball to be accidental – because the ball came off the player’s body onto his arm.
    And as Watmore didn’t score, the Championship side levelled, to the delight of the 9,443 travelling fans.
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    The change in the wording of the laws of the game last summer meant it could not be overruled.
    The update, explained on the Premier League website, says: “If an attacking player’s accidental handball immediately precedes another player scoring, the goal will now be awarded, when last season it was likely to have been ruled out.
    “However, a player will still be penalised if he commits an accidental handball immediately before scoring himself.”
    Apoplectic Cristiano Ronaldo led the angry protests with his United team-mates as they surrounded ref Taylor.
    But their complaints came to nothing and the goal was given.
    United legend Rio Ferdinand and rested goalkeeper David De Gea were having none of it.
    Ferdinand tweeted: “What’s the point of VAR…” followed by a poo emoji.
    De Gea shared the post and simply added a shocked emoji.

    And Alex Bruce was having none of it.
    The former United youth-team defender and Hull City stalwart fumed on BBC Radio: “You can clearly see Duncan Watmore, the ball has popped up and hit his hand as he sets it up.
    “It hits his hand, oh my gosh he has given the goal. I don’t believe it.
    “You can clearly see as the ball comes into the box!”
    Lee Dixon added on ITV: “Watmore’s touch wasn’t the best and he controls it with his hand.
    “It has to be given as handball. If that was a defender it would be a penalty.”
    Gary Lineker added on Twitter: “The right decision given the absurdity of the law. Clearly accidental but If he’d scored himself it would have been disallowed.
    “The handball law used to be fine. They’ve made it ridiculous.”
    The decision proved crucial as Middlesbrough held on for penalties.
    Anthony Elanga missed after 15 successful spot-kicks as the Red Devils crashed out.
    Watmore lifted the ball over Dean Henderson as Harry Maguire appealed for handballCredit: Getty
    Matt Crooks carried on and slid in at the back post with the goal emptyCredit: AP
    Crooks celebrated the goal in front of the 9,443 away fans at Old TraffordCredit: Getty More

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    Scared Premier League refs chicken out of ALL 49 VAR monitor checks this season

    PREMIER LEAGUE refs feel under pressure to accept VAR overturns – even if they are convinced they got the original decision right.Worried officials fear that if they stand by their own calls they could face punishment from bosses.
    Referee Kevin Friend checked the VAR screen during the weekend’s Prem clash between Liverpool and Crystal PalaceCredit: PA
    After consulting the replay Friend awarded Liverpool a disputed penaltyCredit: AFP
    The decision did not go down well with the home fans at Selhurst ParkCredit: Getty
    Ref’s bosses have conceded Liverpool’s controversial penalty at Crystal Palace should NOT have been awarded after Diogo Jota ran into keeper Vicente Guaita.
    But Kevin Friend’s U-turn after the intervention of VAR ref Craig Pawson was part of a pattern, and SunSport can reveal there have been 49 recommended monitor overturns in England’s top flight this season.
    Unlike last term, when referees stuck with their original calls on five occasions, this campaign ALL 49 decisions have been changed after a trip to the touchline.
    That is a direct result of the instruction from Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) at the start of the season, when officials were told the “higher threshold” for interventions meant refs would only be told to go to the monitor when they have made a clear error.
    One source said: “It was made quite clear to the referees that they were expected to change their minds if they were told to perform an on field review.
    “The final decision is always down to them but if a change is recommended, they know that they are expected to follow that advice.”
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    Last season, referees went to the monitor on 87 occasions and agreed to change 82 of their decisions, with five situations in which they stuck with their original call.
    SunSport columnist and former Prem ref Mark Halsey revealed he had been told that officials were under orders to accept VAR recommendations this term.
    PGMOL sources insist that there is more of an “expectation” that the VAR calls will be upheld after refs’ chief Mike Riley told officials to implement a “high bar”.
    One insider explained: “The higher threshold for offences was brought in which means overturns shouldn’t be recommended unless it is a clear error.
    “So when any referee is told to go to the monitor now, he expects it is because he has plainly got it wrong and is looking for confirmation of that. We still think that’s the right approach.”
    Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira slams ref for ‘bad game’ vs Liverpool More