PGMOL boss Howard Webb has insisted VAR were correct not to intervene and disallow Ivan Toney’s free-kick in a letter to Nottingham Forest.
Toney, 27, marked his return after an eight-month betting ban by scoring the opener in Brentford’s 3-2 win over Forest on Saturday evening.
X formerly Twitter / @SkySportsPLIvan Toney was spotted moving the ball before scoring a free-kick at the weekend[/caption]
Referee chief Howard Webb insists the VAR followed the protocols correctlyRex
But the goal caused much uproar as the England striker was spotted moving the ball and the vanishing spray before the set-piece was taken.
Forest wrote to the referees’ body, the PGMOL, insisting Toney’s conduct was a “serious missed incident”.
The Trick Trees also questioned why VAR Michael Salisbury did not intervene in the matter.
But, according to The Mail, Webb responded to Forest on Monday confirming that the appropriate protocols were followed.
Rules agreed by the International Football Association Board [IFAB] dictate that the VAR can only get involved in matters relating to “goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity”.
Toney’s re-placing of the ball did not fall within this remit, so VAR Salisbury was unable to intervene.
Forest are now internally discussing Webb’s response before they issue a comment publicly.
However, they are “unlikely” to pursue the matter any further.
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Toney could have been booked for moving the ball had it been spotted by referee Darren England.
It is the second time in less than a month that Forest have been left furious with the implementation of VAR.
In December, Forest defender Willy Boly was controversially dismissed for a second yellow card despite cleanly winning the ball in a challenge with Bournemouth‘s Adam Smith.
VAR was unable to intervene as it was a yellow card offence rather than a straight red.
X formerly Twitter / @SkySportsPLToney curled the free-kick into the corner having moved the ball slightly to the right[/caption]