Jamie Redknapp has voiced strong criticism regarding the VAR decision that led to Newcastle United being awarded a controversial penalty during their 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. The late penalty was a pivotal moment in the match, which saw both teams fighting for crucial points in a competitive Premier League season.
Match Overview: Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham
The match, held at St. James’ Park, featured two key players. Cristian Romero, the Spurs captain, secured two goals for Tottenham, equalizing twice during the match. The late penalty for Newcastle came as a result of a tussle between Rodrigo Bentancur and Dan Burn.
Controversial Penalty Decision
As play continued with no initial foul called by referee Thomas Bramall, VAR intervened, prompting a review of the incident involving Bentancur and Burn. The on-field decision was overturned, allowing Anthony Gordon to convert the penalty, putting Newcastle ahead with just four minutes left in the match.
Reactions from Analysts
- Jamie Redknapp expressed skepticism about the penalty, emphasizing that Dan Burn did not show signs of a foul.
- He questioned the consistency of officiating in the Premier League, noting that similar incidents often go unpunished.
- Micah Richards echoed these sentiments, arguing that the level of holding did not justify a penalty and suggesting the original decision by Bramall was correct.
Opinions from Team Managers
The managers also weighed in on the incident. Tottenham’s manager, Thomas Frank, labeled the VAR decision a “mistake,” insisting that it was not a foul and calling for more consistency in officiating across matches. In contrast, Newcastle’s Eddie Howe acknowledged the decision, stating Burn’s focus on Bentancur rather than the ball influenced the outcome.
INSIGHT INTO PENALTY CRITERIA
The rules regarding a holding offence specify that there must be “sustained and/or impactful holding” on an opponent. The incident in question lacked sufficient evidence of such criteria being met, leading to further debate among analysts and fans alike.
This ongoing discussion about VAR in football continues to highlight the challenges of consistency in referee decisions, especially in high-stake matches like the one between Newcastle and Tottenham.
