Mark Clattenburg has exclusively spoken to TBR Football about the incident involving Mason Mount and Kyle Walker during Manchester United 3-2 Burnley.
Sam Barrott had initially awarded the Red Devils a penalty after the Burnley No.2 appeared to knock the Manchester United No.7 over by swiping his legs.
However – after a check of the screen – the decision was overturned, with Barrott announcing to Old Trafford: “After review, Burnley number two does not commit a foul on Man United number seven. My final decision is no penalty and drop ball to the goalkeeper.”
#MUNBUR – 16’ VAR OVERTURN
After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of penalty to Manchester United.
Referee announcement: “After review, Burnley number two does not commit a foul on Man United number seven. My final decision is no penalty and drop ball…
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) August 30, 2025
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Mark Clattenburg has now questioned whether the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) have lowered their threshold for clear and obvious errors, when speaking to TBR Football following the clash between Mason Mount and Kyle Walker.
Exclusive: Mark Clattenburg agrees with overall decision but questions threshold
The 50-year-old said: “Walker and Mount challenge for a loose ball in the penalty area. Both players use their arms in a fair manner, and at the last moment, Mount moves across the body of Walker to create some contact.
“Football is a contact sport and I was very surprised that the referee Sam Barrott awarded the penalty. The VAR did an excellent role in recommending a review, as this is not a penalty kick and the intervention on these type of challenges is preferred.
“Some will (however) argue whether this is a clear and obvious error, and if the PGMOL instructed the Video Assistant Referees to lower the threshold set last year?”
Mason Mount and Kyle Walker clash during Manchester United vs Burnley
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Clattenburg – who refereed 297 Premier League games – makes a good point.
Barrott clearly felt in real time that Walker had fouled Mount – which could still be argued, as it was far from a clean intervention from the former Manchester City defender.
Therefore, it is up for debate whether a “clear and obvious error” was made, so perhaps Manchester United were a tad unfortunate to see those in the VAR booth overturn the penalty.
More to follow on TBR Football…