In the context of a match played on the last day of the Premier League, a controversial incident occurred regarding an uncalled foul on player Paul Onuachu. The refereeing of this situation raises questions among football experts.
An obvious foul on Onuachu
During the match between Southampton and Leicester City, the Saints suffered a 3-2 defeat, but a key moment caught attention: an intervention deemed a “clear foul” on Paul Onuachu. While the team was leading 2-1, Onuachu was the victim of a shirt pull by Jordan Ayew as he was about to strike a cross into the Foxes’ box.
Despite the severity of the incident, neither referee Anthony Taylor nor the VAR officials awarded a penalty, which left supporters and analysts baffled. Had the foul been called, it could have allowed Southampton to regain a two-goal lead in this crucial encounter.
Analysis of the refereeing by experts
Notable figures in football reacted to this decision. A former Premier League referee expressed his opinion after the match, clearly stating that he considered it a penalty. “If you hold a player’s shirt for five steps, it’s a sustained act,” he declared.
He also suggested that the refereeing decision-makers might have thought the goalkeeper would have retrieved the ball regardless of the foul, an explanation that raises even more questions about the criteria for evaluating fouls in such situations.
Reactions on social media
As the controversy surrounding this decision continues to escalate, personalities from the club, such as Matt Le Tissier, have shared their outrage on social media. He mentioned the role of the referee, insinuating that Anthony Taylor had attempted to influence the course of the match in favor of Leicester. However, he also criticized Southampton for their defensive tactics during corner kicks, recalling a similar mistake in a previous match.
This type of situation highlights the crucial importance of refereeing in modern football, especially in high-stakes matches. The decisions made can have a significant impact on the outcome of a match and the perception of player performances.
Source: www.dailyecho.co.uk