New Premier League referee admitted he made a “mistake” on the opening weekend when he disallowed a goal for Crystal Palace
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Crystal Palace Eberechi Eze says the referee admitted to him that he made a mistake when he blew his whistle before the midfielder’s free kick went into the net Brentford.
Eze scored directly from a long free kick, surprising Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken as the Dutchman came away from his goal in the hope of intercepting a cross.
However, the goal was not awarded because referee Sam Barrott had blown his whistle seconds before the ball hit the net and was of the opinion that palace Midfielder Will Hughes fouled Nathan Collins.
It was Barrott’s first game in the Premier League after he was appointed and promoted to the Select Group 1 of referees for the current season.
Because the whistle was blown before the goal, the video assistant referee was unable to review Hughes’ appeal and potentially overturn the decision on the field.
“I was told (by the referee) that he blew the whistle too early and made the mistake,” Eze said in an interview with Match of the day.
“It could have changed the game, but we have to deal with it.”
Palace Manager Oliver Glasner said: “Making mistakes is part of the game” and added: “I made mistakes today too.”
“I think everyone was surprised that the referee blew his whistle so early. We thought it was a goal, but the rules say that a goal doesn’t count if the referee blows his whistle. It is what it is,” he added.
Micah Richards and Jamie Redknapp were also confused by the decision. Redknapp said Barrott had “had a nightmare” and Richards called it “a terrible mess”.
“This is a monumental mistake, he should let it rest,” Redknapp said on Sky Sports“I’m not sure if it was a foul, he could have blown his whistle after that.”
“Collins got him, that’s not a foul,” added Richards, who also said that “we can’t be too hard on Barrott.”
Brentford took the lead shortly after Barrott’s mistake. finally won the game 2-1 thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. Ivan Toney was not in the squad for the game, with Brentford manager Thomas Frank He later said: “There are various things going on with Ivan, there are transfer rumours and activities.
“For all these reasons, we decided not to include him in the squad.
“Ivan is a top player. He was one of our best players for a long time, if not our best. Like all good players, they will leave the club one day,” he added.