EPL: VAR under fire over penalty awarded to Manchester United against Nottingham Forest

EPL: VAR under fire over penalty awarded to Manchester United against Nottingham Forest

Former Arsenal star, Martin Keown has criticized VAR officials over a controversial penalty awarded to Manchester United against Nottingham Forest in Saturday's Premier League tie.

Having been 2-0 down after four minutes, Man United rallied to beat 10-man Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, with three goals from Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes (penalty).

Fernandes' decisive spot-kick was awarded after referee Stuart Attwell pronounced Danilo to have fouled Marcus Rashford as he chased the ball into Forest's box.

Though there was contact, it was fairly minimal, and Keown was not pleased with VAR's lack of intervention.

Keown questioned the officials' capabilities, referring to former VAR official, Mike Dean's shocking admission that he once chose not to send referee Anthony Taylor to the VAR monitor 'because he is a mate'.

"I wondered whether it is a moment where you think: 'Did they [the VAR officials] actually see it?' Keown told BBC Sport.

"We had that revelation from Mike Dean that there was a moment where he wanted to protect the referee. Well is this the same thing?

"I cannot believe that the officials have come to that decision and awarded a penalty.

"I look forward to the day where the officials can communicate their decisions to us, and explain their workings out in the VAR room."

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