In a dramatic finish to the Premier League match between West Ham and Manchester United, a controversial VAR decision awarded a stoppage-time penalty to West Ham. Referee David Coote initially did not award the penalty, but after VAR suggested an on-field review, the decision was overturned, causing outrage among United players and manager Erik ten Hag. Defender Matthijs de Ligt argued that there was minimal contact with substitute Danny Ings and even claimed the ball hit Ings' hand first, but the penalty stood, leading to West Ham's 2-1 victory. The Premier League has since explained their decision, citing sufficient contact on Ings' lower leg.
In a highly-anticipated Premier League clash on Sunday, March 5th, 2023, a controversial VAR decision overshadowed West Ham United's 2-1 home victory over Manchester United.
Background
The incident occurred in the dying minutes of the match with West Ham clinging onto a narrow 1-0 lead. Substitute Danny Ings received a pass inside the penalty area and went down under a challenge from United defender Matthijs de Ligt. Referee David Coote initially deemed the contact insufficient to award a penalty, but VAR intervened and recommended an on-field review.
After a lengthy consultation, Coote overturned his original decision and pointed to the spot. West Ham striker Michail Antonio stepped up and coolly converted the penalty, securing a dramatic victory for the hosts.
United's Outrage
The decision sparked immediate outrage among United players and manager Erik ten Hag. De Ligt vehemently protested the call, arguing that Ings had initiated the contact and that the ball had hit his hand first. Ten Hag labeled the decision "embarrassing" and accused VAR of "ruining the game."
Premier League Explanation
The Premier League has since issued a statement explaining their decision, stating that there was "sufficient contact on Ings' lower leg" to justify awarding the penalty. They also clarified that the VAR review process is independent and that the on-field referee has the final say on all decisions.
Top 5 FAQs
Why did VAR intervene in the decision?
What did the VAR official see that the referee missed?
Was Ings' handball a factor in the decision?
Why was Manchester United so upset?
What impact will this decision have on the Premier League?
Conclusion
The controversial VAR decision at the end of the West Ham vs Manchester United match has sparked significant discussion and debate. While West Ham celebrated a hard-fought victory, United will be left rueing the decision that cost them a point. The Premier League's explanation has attempted to clarify the decision-making process, but the controversy is likely to continue as the season progresses.
In a crucial match of the five-match series between Australia and India, captain Pat Cummins has won the toss and elected to bat first at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Both teams are tied at 1-1 after a draw in the previous test. Despite the expected hot weather with a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius, a large crowd of over 90,000 is expected to attend the match.
Australia's young opener Sam Konstas makes his debut while India opts for spin in their playing XI. With the pitch likely to wear out quickly, India may have the upper hand in the batting order. However, Australia's young talent and strong fast bowling attack remain a threat for the Indian team. Follow live updates as the two teams face off in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting believes Indian opener Shubman Gill can improve his overseas record by making minor changes to his approach. Despite scoring four hundreds in 17 Tests at home, Gill's average of 23.8 across nine Tests in England, Bangladesh, West Indies, South Africa and Australia is a cause of concern for Ponting. The 21-year-old may be overcomplicating his approach, and Ponting suggests that he should trust his instincts and maintain an attacking mindset for better results.
Despite being left out of the Uttar Pradesh's Vijay Hazare Trophy squad, Sameer Rizvi has been dominating the Under-23 One Day State A tournament with his incredible performances. In a recent match against Vidarbha, Rizvi smashed a double century in just 105 deliveries, setting a new record with 10 fours and 18 sixes. The talented player's aggregate in the tournament is an impressive 728 runs with 52 fours and 64 sixes, cementing his position as a rising star in the world of cricket.
After much anticipation, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025, which will see India playing all of their matches in Dubai. This event will also introduce a new hybrid model for India and Pakistan's matches, with neutral venues being used until 2027. This agreement covers all ICC events for the next few years, creating a new dynamic for both teams in future tournament matches. Stay updated with News24 for all the latest news and updates on this exciting development.
Utah Jazz's star forward Lauri Markkanen had to be helped off the court in the fourth quarter after colliding with Spurs' Victor Wembanyama. After being diagnosed with a left knee contusion, Markkanen was unable to return to the game. The Jazz ended up losing to the Spurs 128-115, resulting in their elimination from NBA Cup contention.
After missing the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar series, Rohit Sharma is expected to return as opener for the crucial Boxing Day Test. This change in the Indian batting order could also have a domino effect on other players, potentially impacting young Shubman Gill's position in the team. Meanwhile, Australia has made two changes to their playing XI for the 4th Test, with Scott Boland and debutant Sam Konstas added to the squad.
Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma was irritated by a female fan's repeated requests to call Shubman Gill during practice at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. With the WTC Final dreams at stake, this match is crucial for both India and Australia. Despite his struggles with form, Rohit does not want Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant to be weighed down by outside suggestions as they are all "capable" players. These three youngsters will form the core of Indian batting in the next decade, and Rohit knows their worth.
After months of delay and uncertainty, the schedule for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has been announced, with a major change to the format. All India matches, including the highly-anticipated clash against Pakistan, will now be played at a neutral venue. This comes after a stalemate between the BCCI, PCB, and ICC over India's matches in Pakistan, finally leading to the implementation of the Hybrid Model. The tournament will kick off in Dubai next year, with a revamped group division.
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been facing a string of injury setbacks since the 2023 ODI World Cup. After recovering from a heel injury, Shami has now experienced slight swelling in his left knee, ruling him out of contention for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The BCCI is monitoring his fitness and his participation in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on the progress of his knee.