Referee Michael Salisbury dropped from final Premier League fixtures after VAR controversy
Quick Look
- Referee Michael Salisbury, who controversially allowed a goal for Manchester United against Nottingham Forest, has not been assigned any matches in the final round of Premier League fixtures.
- PGMOL admitted the goal should have been disallowed.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Referee Michael Salisbury made a controversial decision during Manchester United's win over Nottingham Forest last Sunday, allowing a goal to stand despite a handball in the build-up. The VAR review was rejected, and PGMOL later admitted the goal should have been disallowed. Referees in England have a more lenient approach to handball than other nations.
The referee for Manchester United's win over Nottingham Forest last Sunday has not been selected for any match in the final round of Premier League fixtures.
Michael Salisbury allowed Matheus Cunha's goal for United to stand, despite Bryan Mbeumo handling the ball in the build-up.
Salisbury rejected a video assistant referee (VAR) review to rule out the goal and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) later admitted that it should have been disallowed.
Referees in the English professional game adopt a more lenient approach to handball than other nations, albeit still within the laws.
And although referees' boss Howard Webb told Forest that while there could be justifiable reasons to deem it was not handball by Mbeumo, 'football's expectation' would have been for the goal to be disallowed.
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 pitchside monitor.
Salisbury, who has been in charge of 13 Premier League matches this season, is not part of the officiating team for any of Sunday's 10 games, which all kick off at 16:00 BST.
Open Questions
- Will Michael Salisbury face further repercussions beyond not being selected for the final round of fixtures?
- What specific criteria led to the VAR review being rejected?
- How will this incident affect future handball interpretations in the Premier League?
