Dermot Gallagher, a former Premier League official, believes Sheffield United should not have received a penalty against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
With the score still 1-1 deep into added time, referee Robert Jones declared that Fabio Silva had tripped George Baldock inside the penalty area.
Baldock chose to keep playing rather than call for a foul, and Silva seemed to remove his foot rather than challenge during the contact.
Oliver Norwood did, however, successfully convert the penalty kick, giving Sheffield United their first Premier League victory since their promotion from the Championship last year.
Wolves manager Gary O’Neil criticized Jones’ call after the game, saying that Jones stood by it when they discussed it in the officials’ locker room.
In addition, O’Neil stated at the time that Jones “was so quick” to award the penalty. Gallagher has since agreed with O’Neil, believing the referee ought to have given himself more time.
Gallagher stated on Sky Sports News: “I believe the referee called it too soon. The world’s top referees provide a little bit of thinking time, while the best players create time on the ball.
“Sadly, Rob Jones didn’t need to rush things; if he had waited the two seconds, he would have seen how things turned out and probably made a different choice. I’m not sure if he wanted to jump in quickly because he was just trying to make a decision.
As long as there is some degree of physical touch, the VAR won’t be able to override it, in my opinion. However, I felt that it was best left alone.”
After the first controversial decision against Manchester United in the first week of the season, PGMOL chief Howard Webb apologized. Wolves have now been the target of four contentious decisions in 11 games.
Since then, Joao Gomes has been unfairly accused of handing the ball when it deflected off his leg during a match at Luton Town. The Hatters were awarded a 1-1 draw after the penalty was converted.
On October 28, Hwang Hee-chan was given a red card for what was deemed to be a foul in the area against Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar, even though Schar initiated the contact. The Magpies won the spot kick shortly before halftime, leading 2-1.
