EPL released a statement following the decision of center referee, Michael Oliver to award a controversial penalty to Liverpool
By Kehinde Okeowo
The English Premier League (EPL) has explained its decision to award a penalty to Liverpool in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Anfield.
The football body made the clarification via a statement released after VAR’s controversial decision.
Referee, Michael Oliver had missed Matthijs de Ligt’s handball in real time.
However, VAR officials advised him to review the action on the pitch-side monitor.
Oliver eventually overturned his earlier decision and pointed to the spot giving Mohamed Salah the opportunity to make it 2-1 to the home side.
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Following public outcry that greeted the verdict, a post from the EPL Match Centre social media account read, “VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible handball by de Ligt, deeming that his arm was raised in an unnatural position.
“Upon review, the referee overturned his original call of no penalty.”
Lisandro Martinez had fired Man United into the lead early in the second half, only for Cody Gakpo to draw Liverpool level.
Amad, however, restored parity for the visitors minutes after Salah’s penalty looked like it might settle the tie.
