PGMOL chief Howard Webb has admitted that West Ham’s awarded penalty against Manchester United on October 27 was an error.
Webb, speaking on Sky Sports’ Mic’d Up programme, expressed regret over the VAR decision that allowed Jarrod Bowen to secure a 2-1 victory for West Ham – a game that marked the end of Erik ten Hag’s tenure as United’s manager.
Howard Webb Admits West Ham vs Man Utd Penalty Error Which Led To Ten Hag Sack
The contentious moment occurred when Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt was deemed to have fouled West Ham forward Danny Ings.
Initially, on-field referee David Coote allowed play to continue, signalling that he did not see a clear foul.
However, after Video Assistant Referee Michael Oliver recommended a closer look, Coote reversed his decision following a review at the pitch-side monitor, resulting in a penalty that Bowen converted.
Webb explained that Oliver, a typically “talented and reliable” VAR official, became “overly focused” on De Ligt’s leg, which appeared to make contact with Ings without touching the ball.
Oliver viewed this as a clear foul, warranting a penalty. Webb, however, disagreed with this interpretation, arguing that the decision should have remained with Coote’s original on-field call.
“I think this is a situation where we’d leave the on-field decision as it is, probably whichever way it’s called,” said Webb. “On balance, I don’t think it’s a penalty kick.”
He also reiterated that referees are empowered to uphold their original decision, even when called to the monitor by VAR officials.
“They are told that they are absolutely within their rights to keep their decision when they go to the screen,” said Webb.
On Mic’d Up. Utterly scandalous. 😂
There’s no chance in hell you can watch that and tell me referee David Coote actually thought that was a penalty.
Just gave Michael Oliver what he wanted. Coward. pic.twitter.com/Lr2WFfu61d
— Alex Turk (@AlexCTurk) November 12, 2024
David Coote’s Suspension Compounds the Issue
In a separate but related development, David Coote, the referee in question, was suspended after a video surfaced showing him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and former manager Jurgen Klopp.
Webb confirmed that Coote’s suspension was immediate, pending a full investigation into the video, which the PGMOL is taking “very seriously.”
“We became aware of a video that was being circulated on social media that we are taking very seriously,” said Webb.
“We’ve instigated a full investigation. One of our referees, David Coote, has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of that investigation.
“There’s not much more I can say at this stage until we’ve worked through that investigation.”
