HOWARD WEBB RELEASES LENGHTY STATEMENTS EXPLAINING WHY A PENALTY WAS NOT AWARDED FOR EVERTON VS LIVERPOOL AND WESTHAM

In a recent episode of “Match Officials Mic’d Up,” PGMOL chief Howard Webb provided a detailed breakdown of controversial officiating decisions during Everton’s recent high-stakes fixtures against Liverpool and West Ham. Addressing the heated Merseyside Derby, Webb focused on a critical moment where Liverpool’s penalty appeals were dismissed following a challenge in the area. He explained that the on-field official maintained a clear view of the contact and deemed it a subjective “coming together” rather than a foul. Webb noted that while there was physical contact, the VAR officials supported the referee’s live judgment, concluding that the incident did not reach the high threshold of a “clear and obvious error.” He emphasized that the Premier League’s current directive is to avoid “soft” penalties, reinforcing the idea that minor contact in a physical derby should not automatically result in a spot-kick.
​Turning his attention to the fixture against West Ham, Webb addressed a similarly contentious non-award that left the Hammers’ bench incensed. The incident involved an alleged handball and a subsequent clipping of the heels in the box. Webb clarified that the handball was ruled out because the defender’s arm was in a natural position and the ball was struck from such close proximity that no deliberate movement could be established. Regarding the secondary foul claim, Webb revealed the VAR audio, which showed the officials meticulously checking the point of contact. He explained that the attacker had initiated the contact by trailing his leg to seek a foul, a tactic the PGMOL is actively trying to discourage. By releasing these statements and the accompanying audio, Webb aimed to provide transparency and maintain the integrity of the officiating process, even as he acknowledged the intense frustration felt by the clubs involved. He concluded that while these decisions are often divisive, the process followed in both games adhered to the established VAR protocols and the nuanced interpretation of the laws of the game.