Howard Webb makes worrying admission about Michael Oliver after Man United vs West Ham penalty

Howard Webb has made a worrying admission about Michael Oliver as he dissects the penalty West Ham received against Manchester United last month.

Manchester United lost 2-1 against West Ham towards the end of October in what would be Erik ten Hag’s final game in charge of the club.

The manager was sacked after the defeat left United 14th in the Premier League table although he would’ve felt aggrieved with the way in which his side lost the game.

The Hammers scored a last-minute winning penalty following a controversial decision from Michael Oliver on VAR.

Matthijs de Ligt and Danny Ings met inside the penalty box and the Dutch defender flicked the ball with his thigh before he clashed knees with the West Ham striker.

However, Michael Oliver recommended a review for on-pitch referee David Coote, who did not give a penalty in real time.

In new footage from PLP’s Mic’d Up series, Oliver can be heard continuously telling the referee that zero contact was made with the ball from De Ligt (which was false) and Coote sounding unconvinced while awarding the penalty.

What Howard Webb said

PGMOL chief Howard Webb has admitted that the wrong decision was made at the London Stadium.

However, it was even more concerning to hear him admit that Oliver was ‘uber-focused’ on De Ligt’s leg during the incident and ‘shouldn’t have got involved’.

This is quite embarrassing and worrying since De Ligt, in fact, makes contact with the ball. And even if that wasn’t the case, it was a coming together with neither player in control of the ball.

“I thought it was a misread, Leon, by the VAR, a VAR that’s normally really talented and reliable, but gets uber-focused in this situation on De Ligt’s leg,” Webb admitted.

“His leg coming through on to Danny Ings, not making any contact with the ball. The ball’s already past De Ligt as he as he makes contact with Danny Ings.

“And the VAR sees that as a clear foul. I think he was too focused on that aspect. I don’t think he should have got involved.

“I think this is a situation where we’d leave the on-field decision as it is, probably whichever way it’s called.

“On balance, I don’t think it’s a penalty kick. I would prefer no foul being given, no penalty.”

It has already been a dreadful week for the PGMOL and having their main referee once again make a rookie mistake only adds fuel to the fire.

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