PGMOL issue statement to clarify controversial VAR call in Man United vs Burnley
Premier League Game Match Officials (PGMOL) have released a statement (h/t Mirror) to explain the controversial VAR moment which saw Luke Shaw being booked for Man United against Burnley.
Manchester United took on Burnley on Tuesday as they looked to go top of the Premier League table. During the first half, Burnley’s Robbie Brady brought down Edinson Cavani and got a yellow card for it.
Considering it was a clear goalscoring opportunity, referee Kevin Friend went to the screen to check for a potential red card. The result of the VAR check was Brady’s card being rescinded and Luke Shaw getting booked.
This confused a lot of fans as well as the United players, who were incensed by the decision. Shaw had brought down Johann Gudmundsson with a rash challenge just seconds before Brady’s tackle.
Shaw could have been sent off
The English left-back was actually lucky to get away with just a yellow as the tackle seemed like it was in red territory. PGMOL has now issued a statement to clarify the procedure taken by the referee to make this call.
It begins by explaining that Kevin Friend went to the side-screen to check both Brady’s, as well as Shaw’s tackle. He then saw that Shaw’s tackle was earlier, so it negated the foul by Brady on Cavani.
“He determined that this [Shaw’s tackle] was a foul and was part of the phase of play that led to the challenge by Brady. The restart was a Burnley free-kick, with Brady’s yellow card rescinded, and a yellow card issued to Shaw.”
More Manchester United News:
- Paul Pogba remains determined to leave Manchester United in the summer
- Manchester United target Moussa Dembele on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid
- Manchester United star Marcus Rashford questions the effectiveness of inadequate food packages
United went on to win the game 1-0, thanks to a volley from Paul Pogba in the 71st minute. The result sees them go first in the Premier League table, 3 points clear of Liverpool, whom they face this weekend.
