Fulham boss, Marco Silva slammed what he felt was an unprecedented VAR decision to award Manchester United a free-kick leading to their opening goal during Fulham’s 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford.
Referee John Brooks blew for a penalty after Jorge Cuenca’s sliding challenge on Matheus Cunha Replays showed the defender got the ball but, rather than allow play to carry on with a corner, Brooks announced that a free-kick would be awarded for a shirt-pull outside the area.
Bruno Fernandes then crossed for Casemiro to head home Silva’s suspicion was that the penalty was given for the foul, not the shirt-pull, and the timing of the referee’s whistle appeared to support his belief.
“It was a bad, bad, bad decision by John Brooks,’ said Silva it was clear the penalty was given (for the foul). After, came a completely different decision. It’s the first time this season we’ve seen that.
“It was a horrendous decision. The penalty was given by the tackle. After, because the decision was so bad, they found a different foul. I feel my players. I feel our fans, but we have to respect the people in charge. I know why the penalty was given.
“VAR went in a completely different direction to find something to find a free-kick, but that was not the reason why the penalty was given.”
