Howard Webb Urged to Act After Controversial Man United Referee Call
After a controversial situation involving Manchester United and their recent Premier League draw against West Ham, calls for action have been made towards Howard Webb, the Chief Refereeing Officer of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). A key incident occurred when Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a Manchester United defender, escaped a red card despite a severely reckless challenge on West Ham’s Patrick Dorgu.
Key Incident During the Match
Wan-Bissaka had already received a yellow card earlier in the match but still committed a late sliding tackle that many believed warranted a second yellow. The second yellow was particularly egregious, drawing commentary from former referee Keith Hackett. He argued that the decision was inexplicable and suggested that Webb should engage in a dialogue with referees to clarify their decision-making processes.
Match Highlights
- Final Score: Manchester United 1 – 1 West Ham
- Goals:
- Diogo Dalot scored for Manchester United in the second half.
- Soungoutou Magassa equalized for West Ham following a rebound from a Jarrod Bowen shot.
- Referee: Andrew Kitchen officiated the match, which was his opportunity to showcase his skills.
Hackett expressed his disbelief over the non-dismissal of Wan-Bissaka and noted the importance of consistency in officiating. He highlighted that the referee’s failure to issue additional cards could affect future matches significantly.
Next Steps for Manchester United
Looking ahead, Manchester United is scheduled to play against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday evening. Ruben Amorim, Wolves’ manager, emphasized that any team can turn around its fortunes. He noted that historically, no team has ended a season without a victory in the Premier League.
Upcoming Matches for United
- Monday: vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Next Week: vs. Bournemouth
- Post-Christmas: Matches against Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and another against Wolves.
As the situation unfolds, the spotlight remains on Howard Webb and the refereeing standards within the Premier League. Fans and analysts are eager for a clear stance and accountability regarding critical match incidents.
