Premier League back controversial referee decision that left Arsenal furious vs Manchester United
The Premier League has released its latest list of refereeing appointments for this coming weekend’s matches.
Paul Tierney (in blue) has not been given an on-field refereeing role this coming weekend.
Referee Paul Tierney has been handed three officiating duties for this coming weekend’s Premier League fixtures after being at the centre of controversy during Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal thought they had taken a 12th minute lead through Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli, but Tierney was ordered to go over to the pitchside monitor by the VAR and review a foul that was deemed to have been committed in the build-up. Martin Odegaard had tangled with Christian Eriksen before wrestling possession back for the Gunners, in which he thought was a fair manner.
However, it was deemed a foul on the United midfielder by Odegaard, meaning the goal was chalked off. Arsenal were furious by the decision and it was blasted by Odegaard in his post-match TV interview.
The Arsenal captain said: “In my opinion it is never a foul. I think the referee sees it and he says play on. It’s a soft challenge and for VAR to come in it has to be clear and obvious.
“For me it is very, very soft. You can always make it look worse on camera. But it’s never a foul and the referee said play on so it is frustrating.”
However, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher agreed with Tierney’s decision to rule out the goal, insisting a foul was committed by Odegaard in the build-up to the goal.
“I thought it was a foul,” Gallagher told Sky Sports. “I thought it was clear and obvious. He pushed him and then catches him lower down the body.
“He catches his knee with his leg so for me, it’s a foul. He had two arms in his back.”
Martin Odegaard (left) was deemed to have fouled Christian Eriksen in the build-up to the goal that was eventually ruled out.
Martin Odegaard (left) was deemed to have fouled Christian Eriksen in the build-up to the goal that was eventually ruled out.
Despite the general perception being that Tierney made the right call, he has not been given a refereeing role for this coming weekend’s fixtures, but has been given a handful of alternative duties. He will be on VAR duties twice and act as the fourth official once.
He will be VAR duties for Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and West Ham United’s clash with Newcastle United on Sunday. He will then be the fourth official for Leeds United’s tussle with Nottingham Forest at Elland Road next Monday evening.
It will only be the second gameweek so far this season that Tierney has not been handed a role as man in the middle.
On the flip side, however, the Premier League has removed Lee Mason from its roster for the next round of fixtures. He was on VAR duty when Newcastle had a controversial goal ruled out during their goalless draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday, appearing to show Tierney has been backed over his controversial decision.
