Sheffield United captain Anel Ahmedhodzic has slammed edited VAR footage in the dying seconds of their 2-2 draw to West Ham.
The incident
In what was a hectic finale, Ollie Mcburnie buried a penalty in the 103rd minute to make it 2-2. There was enough time for one last West Ham attack. A ball was played into the box and Jarrod Bowen went down under Ahmedhozic’s challenge.
VAR deemed there wasn’t nought contact which has proven to be a huge talking point on social media.
Ahmedzhovic responded under a post made by TNT Sports which shows Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole discussing the incident. The Sheffield United defender was outraged and commented that the footage was edited.
He said: “Clearly biased. You can see at the unedited footage where he pulls me down with him which makes me lose sight of the ball. Obviously it’s been edited to make it look like a pen to West Ham.”
Clearly biased. You can see at the unedited footage where he pulls me down with him which makes me lose sight of the ball. Obviously it’s been edited to make it look like a pen to West Ham 👍🏼 https://t.co/QGl7B4Yms3
— Anel Ahmedhodzic (@Anelswe) January 21, 2024
Reactions to the penalty decision
TNT pundits Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole bought were in agreement that it should’ve been a spotkick.
“Absolutely a penalty,” Cole said.
“Last minute of game have to keep your composure, he realises and the panic kicks in, he puts his arms all over Bowen. Can’t see how they didn’t look at that. That’s a rugby tackle.”
Ferdinand added: “He’s not looking at the ball – he’s not even looking at Bowen. He’s got his hands on him. His back is to play, and we can see his number with the ball coming from the opposite side.
“I don’t know how they haven’t looked at that and gone, ‘that’s a stonewall penalty’. If they called that [a penalty], this place would have erupted.”
Dermot Gallagher’s verdict
Sky Sports have a segment called Ref Watch that takes place on Monday morning after all the Premier League action. They ask ex-referee Dermot Gallagher for his verdict on specific VAR incidents that have occurred over the weekend.
Gallagher claimed that West Ham should’ve been awarded a penalty. He said: “I think it’s a penalty and I thought it was when I first saw it.
“The clue for me is the defender is looking away from the ball. The ball comes over his head and he drags Bowen down.
“But the referee gave a handball against Bowen, with his argument being that he thinks Bowen has got hold of the defender first and that’s why his arm is in that position.
“VAR thought it was a handball, that’s their judgement.
“Regarding the whistle [for full-time], VAR can still check and the players are told not to leave the field of play. We saw it at Brighton a few years ago.
“Until the VAR check is completed either way, the players have to stay on the pitch and a penalty can be given and taken.”
Further analysis
On Ref Watch, Stephen Warnock agreed with Gallagher: “I think it’s a horrendous decision and I understand the pressure of being at Bramall Lane, 2-2, big game, final minute and you have to make a decision.
“But I’m sorry, that’s your job. That is the position you’ve put yourself in as a referee.
“What are they thinking in the VAR booth? At what point are you thinking it’s a not penalty and then saying ‘it’s all good to carry on’.
“We’re getting far too many of these incidents where you’ve got a back-up plan with VAR, but at the moment, referees are so scared to make decisions.
“It’s so clear that it’s a penalty and how you’ve got a referee and VAR, plus assistants, who don’t see it is just staggering.”
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