The Premier League have issued a statement clarifying the re-take of Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty when Manchester United defeated Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Manchester United’s recent win over Crystal Palace was a brilliant but somewhat surprising victory, with second-half goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount proving the difference.
After a very poor first 45 minutes from Rúben Amorim’s men, which saw Jean-Philippe Mateta score a penalty to open the scoring, Bruno Fernandes and his side rejuvenated in the second half to secure the three points.
However, Mateta’s penalty was undoubtedly controversial. After the Frenchman scored his first attempt, replays showed that the striker had hit the ball with his right foot onto his left, meaning he had touched the ball twice. He was then allowed to retake the penalty.
This evoked a barrage of complaints from United fans, who pointed out that, as he was the penalty taker and broke the rules of a penalty, he should not be allowed a second chance to get it right.
Premier League release statement on Mateta penalty rules
Following the full-time whistle, it was explained that one of the rule changes introduced before the season started meant that Mateta would be allowed to retake his penalty.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Premier League issued a full explanation of what rules had been changed, referencing a double-kick penalty scored by then-Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez in 2017, which resulted in an indirect free kick for the opponents.
“Mateta kicks the ball into his standing leg,” the video text read. “Previously, this resulted in an indirect free kick to the opponents, which happened to Riyad Mahrez in 2017.
“But the law changed in June 2025, allowing for a retake if the initial penalty kick was successful. Because Mateta had scored, he had the chance to retake his penalty.”
United will be allowed to forget the problem
Already this season, United have had issues with penalties in both boxes. While they may feel aggrieved with the rule change at Selhurst Park, VAR has also caused problems for Fernandes when taking them for United.
Twice this season, Fernandes has missed penalties due to lengthy delays and referee errors, against Fulham and Brentford.
Against Fulham, the referee walked directly into Fernandes’ path and bumped into him while he was preparing to take his penalty, before a lengthy delay and argument threw the United skipper off his game, and he skied the effort.
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Similarly, Fernandes was subject to a lengthy delay against Brentford when Nathan Collins denied Bryan Mbeumo a clear goalscoring opportunity, but was not sent off. They later retracted the decision, apologising and admitting the defender should have been shown a red card.
However, the damage had already been done. The VAR check took over five minutes to complete, and the lengthy wait and ultimately incorrect decision once again threw Fernandes off his game, and his shot was saved.
Had the referees been more efficient and correct, United could have gone on to secure all three points that afternoon, but it wasn’t to be.
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