Controversial Refereeing Decision Overshadowed by Liverpool’s Victory over Tottenham
In Liverpool’s 4-2 win against Tottenham, a glaring error by referee Paul Tierney went unnoticed amidst the excitement of the game. Tierney’s decision not to award a clear penalty for Cody Gakpo’s foul by Micky van de Ven would have been much more controversial if the match outcome had been different.
The incident occurred when Gakpo managed to nick the ball ahead of the Tottenham center-back in the penalty area, only to be brought down by his fellow Dutchman. Despite having a direct view of the foul, Tierney waved it away and allowed play to continue, with VAR John Brooks choosing not to intervene. The reasoning behind the decision was that Gakpo had exaggerated his fall, which somehow negated the clear obstruction from Van de Ven.
Former referee Dermot Gallagher, now working as Sky Sports’ referee analyst, supported Tierney’s decision, claiming that Gakpo’s reaction played a significant role in convincing the referee not to award a penalty. Gallagher believed that Tierney saw Gakpo launching himself through the air and concluded that it was a case of simulation.
However, when confronted with the fact that VAR clearly showed Gakpo being tripped, Gallagher pointed out that VAR has to rely on what the referee says. If the referee insists that there was no foul, then VAR cannot intervene. Gallagher emphasized that Tierney was in an ideal position to make the call and immediately waved it away.
When asked if a less dramatic fall from Gakpo would have influenced Tierney’s decision differently, Gallagher agreed that it was likely. He believed that Tierney’s close proximity to the incident and Gakpo’s exaggerated reaction convinced him that the player had intentionally launched himself through the air.
The studio panel, including former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, expressed their confusion over Tierney’s decision. They referred to a similar incident in the North London derby involving Dejan Kulusevski, where the player was denied a penalty despite trying to stay on his feet. Warnock suggested that Tierney’s perception of Gakpo being too dramatic might have swayed his decision.
These questionable refereeing decisions highlight the need for an overhaul of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). The inconsistent logic used by referees and their reliance on subjective interpretations of player behavior undermine the fairness and integrity of the game. It is crucial for the governing bodies to address these issues and ensure that referees have access to the necessary tools and training to make accurate decisions. Only then can football fans have confidence in the officiating and enjoy the game without controversies overshadowing the action on the pitch.