Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has described the decision to overturn his side’s penalty against Everton as “inexplicable” after referee Michael Oliver reversed his original call during their 2-0 defeat at Portman Road.
The incident occurred shortly after Everton had taken the lead when Jack Clarke appeared to be brought down in the box by Dwight McNeil.
Oliver initially pointed to the spot, only to be asked by VAR to review the challenge on the pitchside monitor. Following the review, the referee overturned the decision, and play resumed with a drop ball.
Everton went on to seal the victory with goals from Iliman Ndiaye and Michael Keane, leaving Ipswich still searching for their first Premier League win of the season.
McKenna Frustrated by VAR’s Involvement:
Speaking after the match, McKenna did not hide his frustration at the penalty reversal.
“I find [it] really hard to understand,” he said.
“My view of it is exactly as I saw at the time. I find it inexplicable really how it can be overruled… At the time it looked like a penalty. It felt like a penalty. Of course, I’m saying that through an Ipswich lens but Jack dribbles past a couple of players in the box and if he goes to shoot there is every chance it is a goal.”
The Premier League’s matchday centre later clarified the decision:
“The referee awarded a penalty to Ipswich for a foul by McNeil on Clarke. The VAR deemed that Clarke kicked the back of McNeil’s leg and that no foul was committed and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball.”
Everton Benefit Again from Controversial Call:
The penalty reversal will feel familiar for Everton, who experienced a similar decision in their recent draw with Newcastle. In that instance, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was denied a penalty after VAR ruled that he had initiated contact with Dan Burn.
McKenna, however, was adamant that Clarke deserved the penalty, stating:
“Dwight McNeil lunges across the line on the ball right when he’s [Clarke] on his backswing. Of course, you can say then that Jack’s foot is what strikes Dwight McNeil, but Dwight McNeil lunges across the line of the ball in the penalty area, which I don’t think you can do as a defender.
“He hasn’t touched the ball. He’s not probably made an attempt to play the ball. He has stopped Jack taking his shot. So I think it’s a penalty.”
‘Clear and Obvious’ Debate:
McKenna also questioned the threshold for overturning the on-field decision, adding:
“I can’t understand how all the directives we’ve had and everything that we’ve experienced so far is that unless it’s a clear and obvious error, then it won’t be reviewed.
“The referee’s decision on field will stand for good reason because the referee has the best view and the referee can also feel the action at full speed. So I think it’s a really poor decision for that to be identified as a clear and obvious error.”
McKenna confirmed he spoke with Oliver after the game in what he described as a “respectful conversation,” though the discussion did little to change the Ipswich manager’s view on the matter.