Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Sport
Andrew Musgrove

Jonjo Shelvey and VAR - what former Premier League referee said about the goal

Jonjo Shelvey scored his third goal in his last five games as he helped Newcastle United to a testing win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

The midfielder grabbed the second goal in controversial circumstances as the referee went to VAR.

The offside flag had been raised after Andy Carroll knocked the ball onto Shelvey and the captain raced through on goal.

The controversy arose with Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson seemingly stopping as Shelvey placed the ball into the net.

As per every VAR decision, there was a timely delay and plenty of confusion as Shelvey gestured to the referee to check the goal.

The goal was given and it's provoked quite the debate.

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher shared his opinion on the matter during the broadcast of the game on Amazon.

"It's the perfect process really because during pre-season the teams were told that referees, if it's really tight, have to hold the whistle.

"You can see the incident from behind the goal where Stuart [Attwell] goes to whistle, realises and then puts his hand out to say 'carry on playing.'

" Jonjo Shelvey goes on through, it goes to VAR and it's quite rightly given as a goal because Andy Carroll is not offiside."

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was not happy with the decision and even said incidents like this were 'ruining the game.'

Jermaine Jenas, on pundit duty for Amazon, asked Gallagher about what the players were told about playing to the whistle.

"During pre-season every club was visited by a referee and the PGMOL, and this was explained quite clearly to them.

"They took videos in and showed them videos of their own games and explained to them 'in this situation you must play to the whistle, and VAR can comeback to check it - if it is offside don't worry it will be given.'

"It is a change though because everyone has to change their mindset - Stuart had to aswell.

"In the old days when I was a referee, and I saw the flag go up - instantly I would whistle.

"Stuart has applied the law correctly as it is now, and the players should do the same."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.