Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has expressed disagreement with one of the crucial decisions made by referee Paul Tierney during the 2-0 victory of Liverpool over Burnley on Boxing Day.
The match saw two Liverpool goals disallowed, and Clattenburg believes one of them, scored by Cody Gakpo and disallowed for a foul by Nunez on Charlie Taylor, was incorrectly ruled out.
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Clattenburg argues that there was minimal contact and that the best decision would have been to play on and allow the goal.
“I don’t agree, I think the best decision would have been to play on and the goal be given. There isn’t enough contact, for me, to be awarded as a foul.”
Said Mark Clattenburg.
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However, Clattenburg acknowledged that the decision to disallow Harvey Elliott’s goal, initially cleared by Tierney but later overturned after VAR intervention, was more justifiable.
Salah was deemed to be in an offside position, blocking the goalkeeper’s line of vision when Elliott struck the ball.
Clattenburg noted that referees are obligated to apply the laws of the game as written and emphasized that Salah’s offside position and interference with the goalkeeper’s view warranted the disallowance.
Interestingly, Clattenburg added that if Elliott had aimed his shot towards the left side of the goal instead of the right, where Salah was positioned, the goal might not have been ruled out.
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He suggested that the placement of Salah in the line of vision was a crucial factor in the decision-making process.
The contentious nature of these decisions underscores ongoing debates about the role of VAR and subjective calls in football.
Clattenburg highlighted the challenges faced by referees in interpreting and applying the laws of the game, emphasizing the need to adhere to the rules as they are written.
The match ended with Liverpool securing the win through goals from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, despite the controversy surrounding the disallowed goals.
Liverpool is my Religion and Anfield is my Church. 17th May 1996 the date I had my blood coloured red. The one you love the most you can not live without it and that is football to me.
