FIFA has issued a somber statement concerning the match officials and referees for the Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur game.

In a crucial Premier League encounter between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, Spurs emerged victorious with a 2-0 win, accompanied by a VAR decision that triggered intense debates.

Pape Matar Sarr played a pivotal role, scoring his debut goal for Tottenham, while Lisandro Martinez’s own goal added to the north London team’s fortunes. Despite Manchester United’s Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Casemiro missing key chances, Tottenham seized control in the second half to secure a vital victory.

A turning point occurred in the first half when Cristian Romero’s inadvertent handball deflected Alejandro Garnacho’s shot wide. Despite VAR suggesting a potential penalty for the handball within the box, referee Michael Oliver’s decision not to award a spot-kick stood.

This contentious call drew post-match criticism, with former referee Dermot Gallagher defending VAR’s challenges in assessing handball situations. Gallagher cast doubt on the likelihood of an apology from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), citing complexities in evaluating factors like arm position, shoulder involvement, and ball speed.

Tottenham’s manager, Erik ten Hag, strongly contested Gallagher’s stance, expressing frustration with VAR. Ten Hag argued that his team deserved a penalty, emphasizing the impact on the ball’s trajectory and deeming the handball obstructive.

Bruno Fernandes echoed these sentiments, urging an apology from chief referee Jon Moss and advocating for transparency through post-match interviews.

Fernandes questioned the absence of explanations from officials, asserting that there should be no excuses for overlooking what he considered a clear penalty.

He also called for consistent officiating, referencing the previous week’s controversy involving Manchester United.

The fallout from this VAR decision has reignited discussions on transparency, accountability, and consistency in rule application.

As calls for post-match explanations and potential apologies gain momentum, the controversy surrounding VAR’s influence on match outcomes remains a prominent topic in the Premier League.