Crystal Palace fans were left seething at half-time of their Premier League clash with Everton today.
The Toffees took a 2-1 lead into the break at Selhurst Park, after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s early goal was cancelled out by Cheikhou Kouyate.
But five minutes before the break, Everton were awarded the chance to re-establish their lead from the penalty spot.
Joel Ward was the man penalised when the ball was headed straight at him at close range, with VAR awarding the spot-kick.
Richarlison made no mistake to give Everton a 2-1 lead – but it left Palace fans raging.
@gazbod: Arm was LITERALLY in a natural position, in the act of moving it away and they’ve give a penalty. There is no hope. Referees are the most significant people on the pitch now. Thanks for attending my TED talk.
@tgh316: Footballer's should play with their arms tied behind their backs apparently...
@kelvin_fay: I don't normally criticise VAR but handball? Really? Maybe footballers should all have their arms chopped off.
@DannyTheGit: Worst penalty for handball I can recall seeing. Absolute joke. VAR is supposed to make things fairer. Instead it helps referees make bad decisions.
@MikeySell: Might as well just kick or head the ball at opposition players in the box now.
@Wobinho: That’s as much of a penalty as the one we got at UTD last week. The rules are a farce.
@jonah1966: Needs to go back to handballs being deliberate. The rule is currently ridiculous.
@MathewAlexShaw: The game is broken if these are even close to handballs.
@Wrosewarne: Stupid penalty decision. Making a mockery of the game.
@pdreynolds81: VAR has killed football. How a ref can review that and give a penalty is beyond me!
