Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson has revealed what referee Michael Salisbury did before the controversial VAR decision against Crystal Palace.
The Magpies thought they had snatched all three points from last Saturday's goalless draw at St James' Park against the Eagles, but Tyrick Mitchell’s own goal was wrongfully ruled out.
Joe Willock and Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita collided before the ball ended up in the back of the net, with referee Salisbury overturning his decision to allow the goal after being called over to the monitor by VAR official Lee Mason.
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Willock was judged to have fouled Guaita, despite the Newcastle man being pushed by Mitchell before the collision. The decision to disallow the goal sparked some fierce backlash after the game, with former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer telling BBC’s Match of the Day it was “disgraceful”.
Referees’ body PGMOL acknowledged that the decision was a mistake and that the incident would be under review. Wilson, who was absent against Palace due to a hamstring injury, has now revealed that Salisbury was the referee who met with the Newcastle players in pre-season to explain the use of VAR for the 2022/23 campaign.
Wilson told the Footballer’s Football Podcast: “It was the same referee who gave us our prep talk in pre-season and said that they’re going to be more lenient and things like that. I just feel over the weekend, to get two points taken away from us from that decision and ultimately that could have led to us losing as well. We could have ended up losing that game because at 1-0 up it’s a totally different game.
“In our game, Joe Willock had jumped in the air to head the ball, he’s about to put the ball into the net, Mitchell has pushed him in the back so he’s going to collide [with the goalkeeper] because he’s already in the air and has no control over what he’s doing. [Willock] could have done anything in that situation. Other than the referee giving a penalty, Willock was about to put the ball in the net then it hits the defender and then goes in. It should just be given as a goal because it’s the defender’s fault anyway.
“I can’t understand why [it was disallowed], if you’re thinking it’s a foul, you reel it back two or three seconds and see he’s been pushed in the air and you see it’s a penalty. Mitchell didn't even complain, he just looked at the ground walking as if to say 'I've just scored an own goal'. I don't understand it.”
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