PGMO Admits Handball Error In Manchester United Goal Vs Nottingham Forest

Manchester United’s second goal in Sunday’s Premier League win over Nottingham Forest should have been disallowed for handball, the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) admitted after contacting Forest on Monday to confirm a misjudgement by referee Michael Salisbury.

“Manchester United's second goal in Sunday's Premier League win over Nottingham Forest should have been disallowed for handball, Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) has admitted”

BBC

The incident began when the ball came off the arm of United forward Bryan Mbeumo before Cameroon international Matheus Cunha moved on to the loose ball and fired a shot past Forest keeper Matz Sels to score, putting United 2-1 up in a game they went on to win 3-2.

BBC

Salisbury was sent to the pitchside monitor by the VAR, Matt Donohue, but decided the handball was accidental and stuck by his on-field decision of goal.

PGMO chief refereeing officer Howard Webb spoke to Forest and Man Utd on Monday to acknowledge the misjudgement, and the BBC reported that Webb said a better decision would have been to disallow the goal.

The BBC also reported that it was only the 17th time in seven seasons—and the fourth this season—that a referee has rejected the advice of the VAR at the screen.

Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White said after the game, "From the angle I was standing at, it looked like he caught the ball," adding, "Whether he scores or not, for me it was still a handball."

On Sky Sports, Gary Neville called the decision "That is a shocker in every way," saying, "Honestly, that is ridiculous."

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Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann told BBC Sport that football’s expectation is for Mbeumo’s hand control to be disallowed, arguing that "Mbeumo does control the ball [with his hand]" and that the expectation outweighs a possible deflection off his hip.

Sky Sports’ Ref Watch featured former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, who said, "It should be disallowed," and described the handball as a cushion that created the opportunity for Mbeumo.

The BBC reported that Howard Webb shared the view that the VAR review should have been accepted, even as the Premier League has a more lenient approach to handball.

The PGMO’s admission came after Webb contacted Nottingham Forest to confirm the error, with the BBC describing the referees’ body contacting Forest on Monday to confirm the misjudgement by Salisbury.

“Nottingham Forest have been informed by the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) that Manchester United’s second goal on Sunday should not have stood”

Metro.co.uk

Vitor Pereira, Nottingham Forest’s head coach, said in his press conference that he wanted a meeting to understand the rules and decisions, adding, "For me, it is handball. Very clear."

Pereira also said, "I think it is important to have a meeting with everybody and try to understand the rules and decisions," framing the controversy around doubts about decisions.

The BBC reported that Howard Webb spoke to Forest to explain that while there could be justifiable reasons to judge this not handball, a better decision expected would be to disallow it.

With the match ending 3-2 to Manchester United, the PGMO’s acknowledgement left the key question unresolved on the pitch but clarified the refereeing body’s view that Salisbury should have overturned the decision after VAR review.