According to a report, Chelsea defender Levi Colwill believed he was brought down for a penalty in the first half following a challenge from Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez.
However, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has shared his view that Colwill’s penalty claim would have been overturned by VAR due to a foul earlier in the build-up.
The incident involving Colwill took place in the first half of Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. United opened the scoring through a penalty after Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez brought down Rasmus Hojlund.
Bruno Fernandes capitalized on the opportunity and converted the penalty, putting United ahead. Chelsea responded swiftly, with Moises Caicedo scoring a volley to level the match.
Although the Super Sunday clash lacked many significant events, Chelsea’s frustration over the no-penalty decision for Colwill lingered.
Dermot Gallagher argued that the referee’s decision was justified, and explained that if a penalty had been awarded, VAR would have needed to intervene due to a foul committed on United’s Casemiro earlier in the play. Gallagher noted, “The referee didn’t think it was a penalty, if VAR looks at it, there’s a foul here [on Casemiro] comes first.”
He added, “If the referee gives the penalty, then I think they will check the attacking phase and they will say Casemiro was fouled. Default, drop ball to the goalkeeper.”
During the match commentary, former Premier League referee Mike Dean also shared his insights on the incident. He observed that it took time to review the play and find the appropriate replay, which delayed any commentary on the Colwill-Martinez clash.
Dean said, “As Colwill has taken a shot, I just think that it is a natural coming together, it is more Colwill kicking the boot of Martinez’s foot rather than the other way around.” Dean explained that while the VAR eventually cleared the incident, the process took considerable time.
“The check is cleared eventually, but it did take a long time, and I don’t think the VAR could get the right replay,” he concluded.
Overall, despite Chelsea’s concerns, both Gallagher and Dean’s interpretations supported the referee's initial decision, ruling out any penalty for Colwill.
The debate over VAR’s handling of the incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny and occasional controversies surrounding decisions in high-stakes Premier League matches.
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