Ex-FIFA referee explains why Demarai Gray goal was disallowed by VAR in Everton win v Brentford
Former Premier League and FIFA referee Peter Walton believes it was the right decision to disallow Demarai Gray’s goal for Everton in their win over Brentford.
The Toffees claimed all three points and moved out of the relegation zone thanks to a Dwight McNeil thunderbolt in the first minute of the game, but saw a second goal disallowed for handball by Gray.
Reacting immediately to the incident live on BT Sport Score (11 March, 15:45), Walton explained why the goal was disallowed and ultimately agreed with the decision of the officials.
“Yeah disappointing as it may be, the law says that the goal scorer cannot even accidentally handle the ball,” he said.
“He didn’t mean to, but the ball has touched his arm, the evidence is there, so it’s given.”
Awful
Once again a nonsense VAR rule costs Everton scoring a goal, but thankfully on this occasion it hasn’t cost us any points.
The performance was far better than we’ve seen recently for the Toffees, and obviously the goal and three points is a huge help to the season as we climbed out of the relegation zone and created a small gap ahead of those behind us.
The rule is clear and we understand that VAR are just applying the rules of the game, but the images and footage is far from clear on where it actually hits Gray and the fact it took them so long to come to a decision tells you he gained no advantage from it whatsoever.
His arm was across his body anyway, so it made no difference to the end result and the way it ricocheted on to him proves it wasn’t intentional.
Fingers crossed it doesn’t affect us later in the season, because goal difference is crucial when you’re fighting for your lives, but Everton got a deserved three points today and that’s the most important thing.