Match referee Stuart Atwell was right not to award Newcastle United a penalty for a challenge on Callum Wilson in their 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, according to former referee Peter Walton.
The Magpies No 9 went down under a challenge from Gunners' defender Nuno Tavares during the second half of the Premier League, with Newcastle a goal down.
But referee Atwell waved away appeals for a penalty and, to rub salt into the wounds, Arsenal broke away and scored their second goal through Gabriel Martinelli
.
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It was a decision that disappointed new United head coach Eddie Howe, but Walton insists it was the correct call - but also revealed VAR would not have over-ruled the on-field referee if he had given a spot-kick.
"The law is actually quite specific on this occasion," Walton said as part of BT Sport's match coverage.
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"If the ball is in playing distance, which it clearly was, then a fair shoulder barge or charge can happen on an opponent and that’s what happened.
"If you look, Stuart Attwell is rising through the middle with two players here, Tavares comes across, yes there’s a coming together of players but it is shoulder on shoulder.
"Wilson is probably off balance so he goes down very easily but in law that’s perfectly allowed. The referee goes with his gut feeling. He sees it down on the field, sees the two players coming together, and feels it’s a fair shoulder barge.
"He also feels that the ball is within playing distance even though Wilson is getting the ball under control."
When asked whether that meant VAR would have overturned the decision had it gone in Newcastle's favour, Walton added: "No because VAR is looking for clear evidence to overturn an on-field decision.
"Now, was there enough evidence to overturn the original decision? Had Stuart Atwell given the penalty kick, there’s not enough evidence to overturn it in that respect. VAR would’ve kept out the way."
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