Jamie Carragher says Howard Webb has got it wrong after latest Premier League VAR howler
Jamie Carragher has targeted PGMOL chief referee Howard Webb after the Premier League was hit by a new controversy involving VAR in Newcastle’s win over Wolves
Jamie Carragher has blasted chief referee Howard Webb for telling VAR operators to stick to on-pitch decisions as much as possible.
The Liverpool legend was furious after Wolves were denied what appeared to be an obvious penalty against Newcastle. Raul Jimenez took advantage of a Nick Pope error to steal the ball away from the Magpies goalkeeper in the box.
Pope then crashed into the Wolves forward but referee Andy Madley appeared too distant from the incident to make a decision. He then appeared to reach out to either VAR Tony Harrington or one of his assistants for advice, though he wasn’t sent to the pitchside monitor.
That said, Pope was not penalized, nor were the visitors awarded a penalty. Newcastle would secure a 2-1 win to stay in touch with the top four.
The incident follows a new directive from Webb to raise the bar for VAR interventions on subjective decisions so that only clear and obvious errors are reviewed. But Carragher blasted that move after failing to give Wolves a penalty.
“Nick Pope should have been sent off and given a penalty to Wolves in Newcastle,” Carragher wrote on Twitter after the game.
“Teaching Howard Webb to stick to on-field decisions as much as possible was a mistake today. The referee was so far away that there was no way he knew what had happened.”
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In a comment to Sky Sports, Carragher had also made his feelings clear, saying: “The referee was far away and immediately waved at them and said no. Like I said, he was far away.
“We only talked about the goalkeeper and what happened [red card vs Liverpool] and it’s just a mess. You can immediately see Nick Pope looking at the referee – usually a sign of guilt.
“He’s a lucky guy, the only thing that might save him is that the referee thinks the ball is too far away. He’s very, very lucky. He doesn’t throw out his leg or his arm, but it’s almost a coming along with the diaphragm. He’s very lucky.”
Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui insisted his side should have been awarded a penalty. He said: “I think to be honest that’s true, for me it was a very, very clear penalty for us. We’re really unlucky with the referee, it’s a shame for us.”
Jamie Redknapp completed his criticism of Madley, Harrington and their teams after being disbelieving that a penalty had not been awarded. He warned Pope – who has just returned from a suspension – that he was “incredibly lucky” to avoid punishment for his clumsy challenge.
“He’s incredibly lucky. I can’t believe they didn’t put Andy Madley on the monitor. You can see here he gets a good touch away, Jimenez, Nick Pope just takes him out with his right shoulder,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.
“Look, it’s difficult for the referee, he’s 50 yards away, but watch his right shoulder there – he’s just checking it there with his body. There’s no doubt it’s a foul, and then because he didn’t try to play the ball, which would be.” a penalty and a red card, as well as a four-game suspension for him.
“That’s how controversial and important it was to get that decision right. We have such an advantage with VAR, just say to Andy Madley go and watch it. Even if it takes a minute or two, go check it out and make up your own mind.
“Otherwise you’re just guessing. Andy Madley can’t see it, the linesman is on the other side too, it’s such an important moment in this game that takes a bit of time for the VAR monitor – what a big mistake. “