Key Match Incidents panel delivers verdict on Newcastle United v Chelsea penalty controversy after Toon complaint
Newcastle United dropped points against Chelsea after failing to hold on to a lead once again, but things may have been very different had Newcastle been awarded the penalty they clearly deserved.
With the game finely poised, Trevoh Chalobah clattered Anthony Gordon in the box, sending the Newcastle winger tumbling to the floor with no attempt made to play the ball.
To most people, watching it was a blatant penalty. The game was being broadcast live on TNT Sports, and the commentators were adamant that VAR would intervene and award the spot kick after referee Andy Madley waved away the protests.
VAR looked at the incident and backed up the on-field referee's decision, much to the surprise and anger of every Newcastle United supporter watching on.
The KMI panel could not agree on a decision
Eddie Howe confirmed afterwards that the club would be requesting clarification from the PGMOL as to why the penalty wasn't awarded. Things were made even worse in the last round of fixtures when a similar incident, albeit with less force, was given as a penalty in another game.
However, the Key Match Incidents panel, which is made up of a representative from the PGMOL, the Premier League and three former players or coaches, failed to come to a consensus on the decision.
Of the five members on the panel, the BBC says three agreed that a penalty should have been awarded, while two felt that the referee's decision was correct. In such an instance, the incident can't be classed as a 'clear and obvious error', and therefore it is deemed that VAR made the right call.
Even if the panel voted in our favour, nothing would change
In the grand scheme of things, it makes absolutely no difference how the panel rules, as the best we'd get is an apology. It won't bring the two dropped points back.
It's just annoying when you see a similar challenge result in a penalty for someone else just days later. Where's the consistency?
All the technology they have in the game, and they can't get the basics right.
