The Premier League revises VAR statement following Man United’s last-minute penalty controversy against Everton. Seems like after a lot of controversy from the fans and backlash, the Premier finally decide to do something about the ALL spoken about “cheated” penalty, not like it would make any difference at this point

A dramatic Premier League clash between Manchester United and Everton at Goodison Park ended in a 2-2 draw, with a controversial VAR decision dominating the post-match discussion.

Everton initially took control, establishing a two-goal advantage through Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure. However, Manchester United responded in the second half, with Bruno Fernandes narrowing the gap with a stunning free-kick in the 72nd minute. Manuel Ugarte later equalized with a long-range strike, seemingly securing a hard-fought point for United.

The most debated moment of the match occurred in stoppage time when referee Andy Madley awarded Everton a penalty following a challenge involving Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire on Ashley Young. However, after being advised by VAR official Matt Donohue to reassess the decision via the pitchside monitor, Madley overturned the penalty call. Instead of awarding Everton a spot-kick, the game resumed with a drop ball, sparking frustration among Everton players and supporters. Young, in particular, questioned the sudden reversal.

Following the match, the Premier League Match Centre released a statement clarifying the decision: “VAR reviewed the referee’s decision to award Everton a penalty for a challenge by Maguire on Young, determined no foul had occurred, and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned the decision, and play restarted with a drop ball.” Notably, this statement was an amendment to an earlier version, which had incorrectly stated that play resumed with an indirect free-kick.

The correction, while not altering the final outcome, underscored the importance of precise communication in VAR decisions. The incident also reignited debate over VAR’s role in football, with some experts and fans questioning its consistency.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim supported the overturned decision, calling the initial penalty award “soft,” while Everton boss David Moyes expressed disappointment, stating that Madley should have stood by his original call. The controversy has once again highlighted the ongoing challenges in officiating and the use of technology in football.