Pgmol has admitted that Manchester United’s second goal in Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest should not have stood, after Matheus Cunha’s strike triggered a controversial handball review involving Bryan Mbeumo.
Referee Michael Salisbury was sent to the pitch-side monitor by the VAR but stuck with his on-field decision, allowing the goal to stand even though the ball had hit Mbeumo’s arm in the build-up. The ruling left Forest furious and sparked a sharp reaction from co-commentator Gary Neville, who called it “a shocker in every way,” then added: “Honestly, that is ridiculous.”
Howard Webb spoke to both clubs on Monday to acknowledge the misjudgement, a rare public admission that came after the game had already swung Manchester United’s way. The VAR felt Mbeumo had controlled the ball between his arm and body before his shot was blocked and fell to Cunha, enough to see the goal chalked off for handball. Salisbury, however, judged the contact accidental and went against the opinion of the officials in Stockley Park.
Neville said during the match that “The VAR has been clear: the player has handballed it,” and argued that “He looked at it for three minutes and the referee has looked at it for another minute.” He added: “I can’t believe what I have just seen,” and said: “There will be nobody watching that game who plays football or who watches football who will think that goal should have been awarded.” He also said, “It feels obvious to disallow,” and described how Mbeumo “almost wedged the ball under his arm.”
The case cuts across the way English football usually treats handball, where a more lenient approach has developed after years of feedback from clubs, players, managers and fans. But on this occasion the expected decision was to rule out the goal, and Pgmol’s own review has now confirmed the mistake. Pgmol regularly speaks with clubs to keep refereeing dialogue open, but the episode will only deepen frustration at a law that still leaves room for a judge’s call even when the video evidence appears clear.
For Nottingham Forest, the damage was immediate. For Manchester United, the win stands. For the officials, the bigger question is how a review that appeared straightforward on Sunday ended with a decision Pgmol now says should never have been given.
