Liverpool news: Pundit slams ‘ludicrous’ development after Jota footage analysed
Paul Robinson has slammed the decision to drop referee Kevin Friend after he awarded Liverpool a penalty at Crystal Palace.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Spurs and England goalkeeper said “it’s ludicrous” to axe the 50-year-old and not VAR official Craig Pawson.
Diogo Jota was awarded a controversial penalty in a 3-1 win at Selhurst Park on 23 January.
On-field referee Kevin Friend did not give the penalty but reversed his decision after being told to consult the pitch-side monitor by VAR official Craig Pawson.
As reported by the Daily Mail (1 February), Friend has been stood down for the next round of Premier League fixture’s as a result of his call.
When asked by Football Insider’s Dylan Childs for his reaction to the news, Robinson said: “It’s farce if the VAR official isn’t punished as well.
“That makes no sense.
“Referees are there to give their opinion and to referee the game. Love or hate them, all of them will make the odd mistake. I don’t like the system where they drop them down.
“It’s ludicrous how Kevin Friend gets punished but Craig Pawson doesn’t. They are a team together.
“What has gone on in the conversation between the two of them? Ex-players and fans want to be privy to that information.
“There has obviously been an internal meeting. That is where they’ve come to the conclusion to punish Kevin Friend.
“But it seems ludicrous to not do the same with the VAR official. You’d suspect that they came to the decision together.”
In other news, a Liverpool teenager has been tipped to start v Cardiff after footage emerges.