Premier League release statement after Man United controversy vs Sunderland
Sunderland thought they had a penalty against Man United.
Sunderland find themselves 2-0 down away to Man United, having started the clash at Old Trafford in an unfamiliar fashion.
Mason Mount gave the hosts the lead from the edge of the box, before Benjamin Sesko doubled United’s advantage on the half-hour mark.
Just as the first half was fizzling out, Sunderland thought they had been handed a chance back into the game from the penalty spot, with the Premier League forced to release a statement to explain the decision.
VAR overturned Sunderland penalty deicsion
Set-pieces were always going to be something that Sunderland looked to take advantage of, and they did in the final stages of the first half.
A ball was delivered into the penalty area towards Trai Hume, who went down under the challenge of Sesko.
Referee Stuart Atwell hesitated before eventually pointing to the spot, much to the disbelief of the home support at Old Trafford.
After a VAR review, Atwell was advised to overturn the decision, with the Premier League releasing a statement via X immediately after.
The statement reads: “After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of penalty to Sunderland.
“Referee announcement: “After review, there is no foul by the Manchester United player. He does not make contact with the head of the attacker. As the ball is out of play when the decision was made, the final decision is corner kick.”
Sunderland can have no complaints about VAR decision
While you may have seen them given, Sunderland’s shout for a penalty was incredibly weak, only amplified by the fact that Hume went down holding his face after Sesko made minimal contact with his shoulder.
In reality, it was never a penalty, and it would have been an undeserved route back into the game for the Black Cats, who have looked a shadow of themselves so far.
Aside from an early chance for Bertrand Traore, Sunderland have offered nothing to this game.
With Dan Ballard’s introduction, Sunderland have looked more solid, but now face an incredibly difficult task of turning the game on its head at Old Trafford with just 45 minutes left to play.
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