VAR controversy during Sunderland 1-1 Everton as Louis-Dreyfus delivers interview
Sunderland were denied a penalty during their 1-1 draw with Everton on Monday night
Sunderland have reportedly written to the Premier League and PGMOL to seek further clarification over the decision to not award the Black Cats a penalty during Monday night’s 1-1 draw with Everton.
Regis Le Bris’ men fought back from a goal down at the Stadium of Light to secure a hard-earned point against the Toffees, but were denied an opportunity to seal all three when shouts for a second half spot kick were waved away.
A Noah Sadiki cross seemingly hit opposition defender Michael Keane on both hands, but a VAR check supported referee Thomas Brammall’s initial on-field call to allow play to continue.
Shortly after full-time, the Premier League released a statement through their Match Centre clarifying why no penalty had been given, with officials stating that Keane’s arm position was judged to be “justifiable”, and therefore not an offence under the current handball guidance. The statement read: “The referee’s call of no penalty to Sunderland was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Keane’s arm deemed to be in a justifiable position.”
But according to Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie, the Black Cats have made contact with the governing body in an attempt to gain greater insight into why the officiating team reached the decision that it did.
Writing on X on Tuesday afternoon, the reporter said: “Sunderland have formally written to the Premier League and PGMOL seeking clarification as to why they were not awarded a penalty kick in last night's 1-1 draw with Everton. The newly promoted club have this afternoon asked for further explanation regarding the decision not to award SAFC a penalty for Michael Keane's handball from Noah Sadiki’s cross in the 73rd minute. They are keen to hear more on both the on-field decision and VAR rationale which determined no offence occurred or no further view from the referee Thomas Brammall was required.”
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What else has been said about the decision to not award Sunderland a penalty against Everton?
Elsewhere, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett has argued that Sunderland have a right to feel aggrieved about the decision. He said: “I think that the defender knows exactly what he is doing, and his outstretched right hand makes contact with the ball. He made no attempt to withdraw his right hand, and Sunderland have a right to be unhappy. I do believe that the hand is not in a natural position, and had the referee awarded a penalty kick, VAR would not have intervened.”
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