live from Fabrizio Romano, Everton head coach Moyes fires shot at Ferguson and VAR after denied penalty. He said, “I could SEE it in Sir Alex Ferguson’s smile from the stands—this match was rigged! How on earth was that NOT a penalty against Young? The referee needs to explain this disgraceful decision! Manchester United never change—always favored, always getting away with it! This is exactly why people call them a cheat club! Football deserves fairness, not this blatant manipulation. He just vexed that he didn’t win against an unorganised United. He should be punished for this blasphemy🙀😱🙀
In a tense Premier League showdown at Goodison Park, Everton and Manchester United battled to a 2-2 draw, but the match’s biggest talking point was a highly disputed VAR decision that denied Everton a crucial late penalty. Everton manager David Moyes did not hold back in his post-match comments, accusing the officiating team of bias and even hinting at undue influence from former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I saw it in Sir Alex Ferguson’s smirk from the stands—this game was rigged!” Moyes fumed. “How can anyone claim that wasn’t a penalty on Young? The referee owes us an explanation for this disgraceful call! Manchester United always seem to benefit from these decisions—it’s why people say they’re favored! Football should be fair, not manipulated.”
The controversy unfolded in stoppage time when Ashley Young was brought down inside the box. The referee immediately awarded a penalty, momentarily raising Everton’s hopes for a late victory. However, following a VAR review, the decision was overturned, leaving Everton’s bench and fans furious.
The game itself was a rollercoaster of emotions. Everton dominated the first half, capitalizing on Manchester United’s defensive struggles. Beto opened the scoring before Abdoulaye Doucouré doubled their lead before halftime. The visitors looked disorganized and lacked creativity in the opening 45 minutes, but a vastly improved second-half performance saw them claw their way back. Bruno Fernandes ignited the comeback with a stunning free-kick, and Manuel Ugarte leveled the score with a well-placed strike from the edge of the box.
The late-game penalty reversal has fueled widespread debate among pundits and supporters alike. While some believe Moyes’ outrage is justified, others argue he is simply deflecting from his team’s inability to close out the match. Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville dismissed the claims, saying, “Moyes is upset because his team let United back into the game. This is just frustration, not fact.”
Moyes’ criticism of refereeing decisions is nothing new, as he has voiced similar complaints throughout his managerial career. However, his fiery remarks may now come under scrutiny from the Football Association, which could take disciplinary action if they are deemed to have undermined the integrity of the game.
Meanwhile, Everton fans are demanding more consistency in officiating, feeling increasingly aggrieved by decisions that seem to go against their team. The Premier League has since issued a statement clarifying that the VAR team determined there was no clear foul on Young, leading to the on-field review and the eventual overturning of the penalty.
As discussions rage on, this match will be remembered not just for the exciting on-field action but also for the controversy that reignited debates about VAR’s role in the game. With pressure mounting on the Premier League to address concerns about officiating standards, the fallout from this encounter is far from over.
