Yahoo News Steve Cooper makes Premier League demand after Leicester City VAR drama
Steve Cooper has requested that Leicester City contact the Premier League to make sure that a clear still image of the decision to allow Jean-Philippe Mateta's first goal as Crystal Palace fought back to earn a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
City were 2-0 up thanks to goals either side of half time from Jamie Vardy and then Stephy Mavididi, but Mateta responded immediately after the Foxes' second, although it was immediately met with the offside flag. The decision, however, was transferred to VAR, who drew the lines and deemed the French forward to be onside.
It was a call which sparked plenty of debate, not least from within the Match of the Day studio with presenter Gary Lineker questioning the validity of the call and the angle of the still from which the VAR staff appeared to be working. They deemed Mateta to be onside because of the outstretched leg of James Justin, who was attempting to block the cross.
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Cooper expects the club to make contact with the league and confirm that the process was carried out correctly - and if so, the club will accept the decision.
"It feels like a loss," Cooper said. "We looked a real Premier League team in the first half. We've had a perfect start to the second half and then not so perfect straight after it. We're really frustrated with both goals. There was a real momentum change.
“I really want to see the absolute offside image of the first goal. If it is, no problem, we’ll hold our hands up, but we can’t be calling offsides on suggestions, which is only what we’ve seen at the moment. We need to get that image quickly off the Premier League. If it is, I’ll accept it.
"I'll be straight on to the club, and I'm sure they are, to see the image. I've not seen it yet. We definitely need to see it, we need to contact the Premier League and get a clear still of the image that shows he was offside. We'll accept it, if so."
Mike Dean, Sky Sports' refereeing expert, admitted camera angles at Selhurst Park were not ideal while the Mateta decision was being considered by VAR officials at Stockley Park.
