Howard Webb set for blockbuster VAR grilling with PGMOL chief to address series of controversial decisions in just days

6 months ago 43

HOWARD WEBB is set for a massive VAR grilling when he addresses the recent set of controversial decisions.

The weekend’s football action saw Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta brand the officiating a “disgrace” after his sides 1-0 defeat to Newcastle.

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Howard Webb will address the weekend’s VAR decisions in the coming days[/caption]
Newcastle’s winner at Arsenal was controversially allowed to stand
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While the Tottenham vs Chelsea game had a host of decisions[/caption]

Arteta questioned the competence of referee Stuart Atwell and the VAR team but did not call their integrity into account.

FA disciplinary chiefs are deciding whether or not to pursue action following his comments.

The Gunners released a statement backing their manager in light of the controversial decision to allow the goal, though it seems likely he will escape with a warning rather than a fine.

PGMOL chief Webb will address the complaints in the coming days after another weekend of VAR controversy.

He is due to appear on the latest episode of “Match Officials Mik’d Up” which is scheduled to be broadcast at the start of next week in the international break.

The Gordon goal is expected to be given top billing.

Webb has addressed glaring VAR mistakes in the past.

In early October, he responded to Luis Diaz’s wrongly disallowed goal against Tottenham and Mateo Kovacic not being sent off against Arsenal.

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Anthony Gordon‘s Newcastle winner being allowed to stand was the most high-profile decision over the weekend’s action before the chaotic Monday evening game between Tottenham and Chelsea.

The game, dubbed the “maddest game ever” saw a staggering 11 major VAR checks.

These included four disallowed goals, three red-card and two penalty checks in the first half alone.

Other games over the weekend where VAR was called into action saw Harry Maguire ruled offside for Scott McTominay’s strike minutes into the Manchester United and Fulham game.

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker also described the ruling to award a pivotal penalty to Sheffield United at the end of their match against Wolves as a “stinking decision”.

Amid another weekend of controversy, Arteta was slammed for his behaviour by the CEO of Ref Support UK, Martin Cassidy.

He said: “Mikel Arteta’s touchline behaviour is the worst in the Premier League and his behaviour is a large part of the problem in football.

“He has become a Mercedes version of Neil Warnock.”

Ange Postecoglou voiced his support for the referee’s when speaking after the Tottenham defeat.

He said: “You have to accept the referee’s decision, that is how I grew up.

“This constant erosion of the referee’s authority is where the game is going to get – they are not going to have any authority.

“We are going to be under the control of someone with a TV screen a few miles away.

“The decision is the decision. In 26 years I have had plenty of bad decisions, I have had plenty fall in my favour. It is what it is.”

Elsewhere, Anthony Taylor will return to the Premier League to whistle Chelsea’s match against Manchester City despite making an error in the Championship.

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