Manchester United news as the decision to give United a penalty against Fulham is justified by the Premier League
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes missed from the penalty spot against Fulham
(Image: Getty Images)
The Premier League have explained why Manchester United were awarded a penalty in the first-half of their Premier League clash with Fulham on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim's men came close to opening the scoring at Craven Cottage on a number of occasions through Matheus Cunha. However, shortly after the half-hour mark, United were handed a penalty.
Mason Mount was brought down inside the box by Calvin Bassey from a corner, which was initially left unnoticed by referee Chris Kavanagh. However, following a short period of continued play, the video assistant referee (VAR) ordered Kavanagh to go review the incident on the screen.
Replays showed Bassey grappling with Mount as the ball came into the box. A penalty was awarded but Bruno Fernandes fired well over from 12 yards out in unusual fashion.
The Premier League provided an explanation on why the penalty was awarded, writing on their Match Centre account on X: "After a VAR review, the referee overturned the original call of no penalty for a challenge by Bassey on Mount. Referee announcement: “After review, Fulham number 3 pulls the Manchester (United) player to the ground. The final decision is penalty kick."
This season, new rules state that players will be held more accountable for holding inside the penalty area. "There will be enhanced recognition of holding offences on-field," the rules explained.
"Officials will be encouraged to identify and penalise offences, with "Referee’s Call" continuing to be used for checks made by VAR."
Gary Neville pointed towards the push of the new rules, claiming players have been told of the new threshold. "It's Bassey on Mount, it's that throw - it's reckless and stupid from Bassey," he said on Sky Sports.
"It's just needless, a silly one. He's going to ask him to review it. We know referees have been told to clamp down on these, the players have been told as well. It's just stupid from Bassey.
"He's going to give it... We went to a Premier League briefing two or three days before the start of the season and they said they were going to clamp down. This sort of thing, he swings him around, he's obviously stronger than Mount and let's him know. It's just ridiculous really, no need to do it."
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