Erik ten Hag: Howard Webb Admits to VAR Error in West Ham vs Manchester United

• The Premier League has released the audio that saw West Ham get a controversial penalty against Manchester United
• The 27 October incident was the straw that broke the camel's back as Erik ten Hag was fired after the loss at London Stadium
• The head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, Howard Webb, explained why it shouldn't have been a penalty

The head of the referee's body in England, Howard Webb, has admitted to a major Video Assistant Referee error that led to a West Ham penalty against Manchester United.

Manchester United was hard-pressed at the end of last month during their Premier League game against West Ham at the London stadium.

West Ham's penalty vs Manchester United

The pressure was already cranking up on Erik ten Hag to deliver results after a poor start to the season. After a cagey affair in the capital, Crysencio Summerville finally broke the deadlock in the 74th minute. Casemiro restored parity seven minutes later.

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The controversial moment came in the 89th minute when Matthijs De Ligt was penalised for bringing down Danny Ings inside the area. Referee David Coote did not award anything on-field but was referred to the pitchside monitor by Michael Oliver.

Coote then awarded the dubious penalty, much to the frustration of Ten Hag, De Ligt and the rest of the Manchester United contingent. Their frustration doubled when Jarrod Bowen slotted in the penalty to win the game for the Hammers. Ten Hag was fired the following day.

Referees admit to major VAR error vs Manchester United

Webb has now admitted to the VAR error, wondering how a talented VAR like Oliver missed the situation.

"I thought it was a misread by the VAR, a VAR that's normally really talented and reliable, but gets uber-focused in this situation on De Ligt’s leg. His leg coming through on to Danny Ings, not making any contact with the ball. The ball's already past De Ligt as he as he makes contact with Danny Ings," he said on the latest episode of Match Officials Mic's Up.

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Reactions to the video:

Here are some of the responses from netizens.

@mikemadeit_:

"De ligt does touch the ball you can see the ball move this is pure corruption."

@Gunnerssociety:

"Michael Oliver should be investigated."

@BryanCFC7:

"De Ligt does make contact on the ball btw."

@StartupManutd:

"Horrible decision."

@djrsquared:

"Has to be the most ridiculous penalty given ever."

Ten Hag was fired and replaced by Ruud Van Nistelrooy on an interim basis before Ruben Amorim was appointed.

"I don't think he(VAR) should have got involved. I think this is a situation where we'd leave the on-field decision as it is, probably whichever way it's called. On balance, I don't think it's a penalty kick. I would prefer no foul being given, no penalty."

Why David Coote has been suspended

The referee in that West Ham game has since been involved in a major controversy.

Briefly News has reported that David Coote has been suspended after a video emerged of him ranting foul-mouthedly against Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp.

Source: TUKO.co.ke