I AM amazed referee David Coote overturned his decision — a penalty should not have been awarded.<br /><br />It was nothing more than a coming together and resulted in a game-changing decision that cost Manchester United.<br /><br />Danny Ings lost the ball and then Matthijs de Ligt made minimal contact with the West Ham striker’s shin.<br /><br />The Premier League’s Match Centre said Man Utd defender De Ligt made “sufficient contact” on Ings to merit a penalty.<br /><br />But it is a contact sport — this should never be enough for a foul.<br /><br />Coote had a great view and he was initially spot on not to award a penalty.<br /><br />Referees’ chief Howard Webb does not want VAR intervening with subjective calls that are not clear.<br /><br />This was a classic case of that — the incident was re-refereed.<br /><br />VAR Michael Oliver recommended a pitch-side review, and then Coote crumbled and changed his decision like so many other referees do in that situation.<br /><br />Something is not right with the training and education at the PGMOL.<br /><br />The Premier League released a statement on the decision after the match.<br /><br />It read: "The referee did not award a penalty to West Ham for a challenge by de Ligt on Ings.<br /><br />"The VAR deemed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg and recommended an on-field review.<br /><br />"The referee overturned his original decision and awarded a penalty."
