Everton fans were left outraged after referee Simon Hooper appeared to ignore what many considered a clear penalty incident during their match against Brighton on Saturday.
The controversy unfolded in the second half of Everton’s 3-0 defeat, when Lewis Dunk seemingly fouled Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin inside the penalty area. Initially, Hooper awarded a penalty, giving Everton a crucial opportunity to potentially level the score.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn when Hooper was instructed to review the decision using the VAR monitor. To the dismay of Everton supporters, Hooper ultimately overturned his initial call, deciding against the penalty. What made the situation even more frustrating for fans was that, according to reports, the primary VAR monitor that Hooper was supposed to use for the review failed to show a replay of the incident. Instead, it displayed only the Premier League and VAR logos, leaving Hooper to make a decision without actually reviewing the crucial footage.
This apparent malfunction led to a wave of criticism from Everton fans, who took to social media to express their anger and disbelief at what they saw as a “shocking” decision. Many argued that the foul on Calvert-Lewin was a “stonewall” penalty, and that Hooper’s decision to overturn it without a proper review was a major oversight. The lack of a replay on the monitor only fueled suspicions that the decision-making process was flawed.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was visibly frustrated by the situation and approached Hooper to voice his discontent, likely echoing the sentiments of the fans and his teammates. The incident has sparked debate over the effectiveness and reliability of VAR, with many questioning how such a critical decision could be made without the proper use of available technology.
In response to the controversy, the Premier League acknowledged the issue with the VAR monitor. According to their match report, and as later confirmed by Mail Sport, the league has requested that Hooper be provided with a backup monitor to view the incident properly. This admission suggests that there was indeed a technical problem during the review process, which may have contributed to the confusion and ultimately the controversial decision.
The incident has reignited discussions about the use of VAR in the Premier League, particularly the importance of ensuring that referees have access to all necessary tools and information when making decisions that can significantly impact the outcome of a match.
For Everton, the overturned penalty call added to the frustration of an already difficult day, as they were unable to recover and eventually suffered a 3-0 loss to Brighton.
As the debate over VAR and its implementation continues, this incident serves as a reminder of the challenges and controversies that still surround the technology.
Fans and players alike will be hoping that improvements are made to prevent similar issues in the future, ensuring that key decisions are made with the benefit of all available information.
