‘Doesn’t make sense’ – James Tarkowski hits out at Premier League’s ‘bizarre’ explanation over controversial penalty decision

James Tarkowski has hit out at the Premier League following the controversial decision to award a penalty for a handball against him. The Everton defender was left incensed after a spot-kick was given to Leeds late in their clash, with the goal leading to a 1-0 defeat. Tarkowski couldn’t believe a penalty was awarded against himAFP And the Everton defender hit out at the decision by the referee and VAR post-matchSky Sports With only a few minutes to go, Leeds piled on pressure as they looked to find a winner on their return to the Premier League. Following a mistake in midfield from Everton, the hosts broke forward and eventually Anton Stach had a chance. Stach lined up a powerful effort from the edge of the box and his strike was blocked by Tarkowski from just a few yards out. Instant appeals filled Elland Road as the ball struck the defender’s arm, which was tucked by his side as he leaned into the way. The referee took his time with the decision, leaving the stadium in suspense for a few seconds as he discussed with his linesman, and eventually he pointed to the spot. VAR took a look and stuck with the on-field decision, despite replays showing Tarkowski’s arm by his side, which has led to some controversy and anger from players and fans. The Premier League explained the decision on their Match Centre account on X, writing: “The referee’s call of penalty for handball by Tarkowski was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that he leaned into the ball with his arm.” But Tarkowski still couldn’t get his head around the penalty call, and he ranted to Sky Sports post-match. “It’s not a penalty, as soon as the ref blew, I was pretty confident it was going to get overturned,” he said. “The first question I said to him was if my arms were by my side, which they were, would it be a penalty and he said no.” Tarkowski’s arm was down by his side when the ball struck itSky Sports But officials and VAR deemed that he had leaned into the way of the ballSky Sports He added: “I’ve since read that I leaned into the ball, but there’s nothing unnatural about my arm being by my side. “The ball is allowed to hit your arm, it’s just now allowed to be away from your body unnaturally, which it wasn’t. “So, I can’t understand it really. The linesman gave it apparently. “He was 45 yards away and I don’t understand how he can see what I’ve done with my arm from the angle. “It’s a bizarre, bizarre moment and it cost us the point in the end.” “I’m moving across, there’s lots of bodies in front of me, the lad has struck it at pace, it took a deflection, I see it last season… I’m allowed to move my body towards the direction of the ball,” he continued. The Everton centre-back complained to the referee at full-timeAFP “If it hits my hand when it’s by my side, then I don’t think that’s a penalty, so even a description saying I leaned into the ball doesn’t make sense to me. “I really can’t understand it.” Tarkowski’s anger is certain to have been increased by the fact that Lukas Nmecha’s penalty ended up being the deciding goal. What did David Moyes think? Everton manager David Moyes was equally baffled by the penalty decision and he vented to talkSPORT post-match. He said: “I thought it was incorrect, I thought James’ arm was as close to his body as he could have it. “If the arm was in a different position, I could understand the penalty kick being given. Moyes also didn’t agree with the decision, sharing Tarkowski’s angerGetty “I don’t really see how that was given, I don’t think it was the on-field referee, I think it was VAR and I think that was wrong. “I spoke to him [the referee] in the dressing room after and he said it wasn’t his decision, I don’t know if he was saying it was the linesman or VAR but it was one of the other gentlemen in the room. “I think it was the linesman, but I’d be amazed if a linesman gave it from where he was.” Moyes continued: “He didn’t know the ball had taken a deflection as well when it was shot. “They said he leaned, but please get into the rules, because I’ve been hearing a lot this weekend and I don’t think there’s anything saying you’re not allowed to lean as a football player. “I think he was leaning but I don’t think he was getting his arm out to block it so I don’t see how it’s given.”

Musventurenal

0 2

‘Doesn’t make sense’ – James Tarkowski hits out at Premier League’s ‘bizarre’ explanation over controversial penalty decision

James Tarkowski has hit out at the Premier League following the controversial decision to award a penalty for a handball against him.

The Everton defender was left incensed after a spot-kick was given to Leeds late in their clash, with the goal leading to a 1-0 defeat.

Tarkowski couldn’t believe a penalty was awarded against him

And the Everton defender hit out at the decision by the referee and VAR post-match

With only a few minutes to go, Leeds piled on pressure as they looked to find a winner on their return to the Premier League.

Following a mistake in midfield from Everton, the hosts broke forward and eventually Anton Stach had a chance.

Stach lined up a powerful effort from the edge of the box and his strike was blocked by Tarkowski from just a few yards out.

Instant appeals filled Elland Road as the ball struck the defender’s arm, which was tucked by his side as he leaned into the way.

The referee took his time with the decision, leaving the stadium in suspense for a few seconds as he discussed with his linesman, and eventually he pointed to the spot.

VAR took a look and stuck with the on-field decision, despite replays showing Tarkowski’s arm by his side, which has led to some controversy and anger from players and fans.

The Premier League explained the decision on their Match Centre account on X, writing: “The referee’s call of penalty for handball by Tarkowski was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that he leaned into the ball with his arm.”

But Tarkowski still couldn’t get his head around the penalty call, and he ranted to Sky Sports post-match.

“It’s not a penalty, as soon as the ref blew, I was pretty confident it was going to get overturned,” he said.

“The first question I said to him was if my arms were by my side, which they were, would it be a penalty and he said no.”

Tarkowski’s arm was down by his side when the ball struck it

But officials and VAR deemed that he had leaned into the way of the ball

He added: “I’ve since read that I leaned into the ball, but there’s nothing unnatural about my arm being by my side.

“The ball is allowed to hit your arm, it’s just now allowed to be away from your body unnaturally, which it wasn’t.

“So, I can’t understand it really. The linesman gave it apparently.

“He was 45 yards away and I don’t understand how he can see what I’ve done with my arm from the angle.

“It’s a bizarre, bizarre moment and it cost us the point in the end.”

“I’m moving across, there’s lots of bodies in front of me, the lad has struck it at pace, it took a deflection, I see it last season… I’m allowed to move my body towards the direction of the ball,” he continued.

The Everton centre-back complained to the referee at full-time

“If it hits my hand when it’s by my side, then I don’t think that’s a penalty, so even a description saying I leaned into the ball doesn’t make sense to me.

“I really can’t understand it.”

Tarkowski’s anger is certain to have been increased by the fact that Lukas Nmecha’s penalty ended up being the deciding goal.

What did David Moyes think?

Everton manager David Moyes was equally baffled by the penalty decision and he vented to talkSPORT post-match.

He said: “I thought it was incorrect, I thought James’ arm was as close to his body as he could have it.

“If the arm was in a different position, I could understand the penalty kick being given.

Moyes also didn’t agree with the decision, sharing Tarkowski’s anger

“I don’t really see how that was given, I don’t think it was the on-field referee, I think it was VAR and I think that was wrong.

“I spoke to him [the referee] in the dressing room after and he said it wasn’t his decision, I don’t know if he was saying it was the linesman or VAR but it was one of the other gentlemen in the room.

“I think it was the linesman, but I’d be amazed if a linesman gave it from where he was.”

Moyes continued: “He didn’t know the ball had taken a deflection as well when it was shot.

“They said he leaned, but please get into the rules, because I’ve been hearing a lot this weekend and I don’t think there’s anything saying you’re not allowed to lean as a football player.

“I think he was leaning but I don’t think he was getting his arm out to block it so I don’t see how it’s given.”