Former Premier League referee Mike Dean confirmed the referee had ignored instructions while ruling out an Aston Villa goal during their final match of the season against Manchester United. Unai Emery's side needed to win in order to keep alive hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, Dean said: "He has got to get the ball the keeper. It has hit one hand and then it has come out on it's own accord. The attacker is free and every right to go for the ball.
"He hasn't got the ball under contract a goal should be given.
"The only thing I would say is because I haven't got comms on here, did the whistle go before?"
Clinton: "Yeah it did, the whistle went before."
Dean: "It won't be a goal then."
Clinton: "I think the goal doesn't stand because he blew his whistle before the ball went into the net. It's a bad mistake. That could cost Villa in the end.
"It's such a bad decision. I could watch it 50 times and it's always a goal."
Dean: "I think it is a goal. The referee has probably watched it in real time and at real speed and from his view it looks like the keeper has two hands on it, which he hasn't.
"The issue he has got is the refs are told to wait a couple of seconds. If he waits two seconds more and then blows his whistle it's not a problem because you can award a goal then.
"Because you have blown too early there is nothing you can do."
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