The Professional Game Match Officials has admitted that Manchester United should have had a goal ruled out for handball in their 3-2 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Referees’ chief Howard Webb contacted Nottingham Forest on Monday to acknowledge that referee Michael Salisbury made the wrong decision. VAR official Matt Donohue had advised Salisbury to review the incident, but the referee allowed the goal to stand after judging the contact on Bryan Mbeumo’s arm to be accidental. The ball struck Mbeumo before a defender blocked his shot, and the loose ball fell to Matheus Cunha who scored to put United 2-0 ahead. This marked only the 17th time in seven Premier League seasons that a referee rejected VAR advice after an on-field review.
