Everton: Fans slam VAR Lee Mason and referee Andy Madley for penalty decision at Brighton & Hove Albion
Loads of Everton fans have taken to social media to slam referee Andy Madley and Video Assistant Referee Lee Mason for their decision to award Brighton & Hove Albion a penalty on Saturday.
The Toffees travelled to the south coast looking to build momentum having recorded their first win in five Premier League games against West Ham United last week, but failed to record successive top-flight victories for the first time this season.
Seagulls midfielder Pascal Gross opened the scoring for the hosts in the 15th-minute, before an Adam Webster own goal and strike from Dominic Calvert-Lewin overturned Brighton’s early lead.
Neal Maupay would score from the spot six-minutes after second-half substitute Calvert-Lewin made an instant impact, though, when Michael Keane was adjudged to have fouled Aaron Connolly on the advice of VAR Mason.
The decision has not sat well with the Goodison Park faithful, with many feeling the call was an ‘absolute joke’, while some have suggested the review would have ended differently had it been in the opposing area, after incidents involving Richarlison and Theo Walcott were not deemed fouls.
Keane was judged to have fouled Connolly by forcing the Brighton forward to the ground, although Madley pointing to the spot soon received widespread astonishment from those at the Amex Stadium (Guardian).
Former Everton striker Gary Lineker was also left astonished by the call, with the Match of the Day host taking to Twitter like many Toffees fans to share his thoughts.
“VAR hasn’t given a penalty this season, finally gives one to Brighton for next to nothing. The bar that has been at pole vault heights has descended to limbo dancing levels,” he said.
VAR hasn’t given a penalty this season, finally gives one to Brighton for next to nothing. The bar that has been at pole vault heights has descended to limbo dancing levels.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 26, 2019
The Goodison Park faithful echoed that sentiment, with many sharing their disagreement…
English VAR is different from the rest of the world. The VAR lacks brain
— D I R E C T O R X (@Xcellent_D) October 26, 2019
Richarlison was rugby tackled in the box earlier during a corner and they didn’t even check it.
— MNW (@mckenzie_warrd) October 26, 2019
Thought VAR was a clear and obvious mistake
— Keith Cummins (@KeithCummins69) October 26, 2019
Clear and obvious, that it took 10 replays to check it was clear and obvious absolute joke
— Graemello (@Graemello7) October 26, 2019
Lol only happens to us
— Fergus O’Connor (@Feedtheyak22) October 26, 2019
When Walcott gets his foot stepped on there was no foul given
— ASR513 (@ASR513) October 26, 2019
If that’s Richarlison, they wouldn’t even bother checking it…
— Oliver (@HibbosRightFoot) October 26, 2019
VAR is such a joke lol
— Drew Reynolds (@dreynoldsawl) October 26, 2019
Absolute disgraceful decision
— P (@Paul_M__H) October 26, 2019
Like what the TT have on offer? Sign up for more Everton notifications!Knew it was happening as soon as I saw Lee Mason was on VAR today.
— Kyle Galbraith (@KyleLGalbraith) October 26, 2019
