David Moyes was scathing of the decision not to award a penalty against Bernardo Silva for dragging Merlin Rohl to the ground during Everton’s draw with Man City
Merlin Rohl was dragged to the floor by Bernardo Silva
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has explained why Everton weren’t awarded a penalty against Manchester City. Blues boss David Moyes was left furious by Michael Oliver’s decision not to award his side a penalty when Bernardo Silva dragged Merlin Rohl to the ground.
The incident occurred with the Blues 3-2 ahead and three minutes of normal time remaining and was checked by the video assistant referee. However, no penalty was given, and Clattenburg has explained the reason a penalty wasn’t awarded was because the ball wasn’t in play when the incident happened.
“A penalty cannot be awarded if the ball is not in play, so Bernardo Silva is very fortunate that the corner had not taken place, as he was clearly holding Merlin Rohl,” he told Everton News.
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“Once the ball was in play from the corner, the holding had already taken place, so the referee and VAR cannot make any further decision and Bernardo Silva can breathe a sigh of relief.”
Speaking after the 3-3 draw, Moyes fumed: “I’ve seen it, I’ve had a look. If that doesn’t get given as a penalty, then it’s an absolute free-for-all from now on.
“I might have to start coaching my defenders how to defend differently completely. It looks like now you’re able to sort of grapple and wrestle on the ground if you want.
“I’m absolutely amazed and look, this is on the back of a terrible decision at West Ham when we don’t get a penalty there either.
Merlin Rohl was denied a penalty during Everton’s draw with Man City(Image: (PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images))
“Hey, that’s not the reason why we don’t get the result tonight, but I think it’s another pointer just to say that I find it really hard that that wasn’t given. I think most football supporters will find that really difficult that that penalty wasn’t given.”
When asked for his thoughts on the incident, Rohl said: “It’s always hard when you’re on the pitch and someone is grabbing you.
“I didn’t look at it, but a lot of the guys were telling me it was a lot he was doing. I think also it was too much holding in the penalty spot. He was doing this all game.
“I did another action in the first half and he was doing it. He was not doing so much in the second half. Grabbing in this area could be a penalty.”
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was quick to slam the failure to award his side a penalty. Taking to Instagram, he wrote “Looking at the ball” alongside two images of Silva grappling with Rohl while clearly not looking at the ball. The post was also accompanied by the walk-on music for WWE legend Brock Lesnar.
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