PGMOL decision ‘difficult to stomach’ for Newcastle United – Robinson
Paul Robinson has backed the decision to drop Lee Mason from VAR duties after the official wrongly disallowed Newcastle United’s goal against Crystal Palace.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Premier League goalkeeper said the “punishment fits the crime” even though the incident remains “difficult to stomach” for the Magpies.
Eddie Howe’s side looked to have opened the scoring when Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell turned the ball into his own net (3 September).
However, referee Michael Salisbury ruled out the goal after consulting the pitch-side monitor on the advice of VAR official Lee Mason.
As reported by the Daily Mail (6 September), Lee Mason was dropped from VAR duties for this weekend’s postponed fixtures because of his role in the controversial decision.
Mason was also on VAR duty when Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli’s goal against Man United was contentiously disallowed for a foul on Christian Eriksen.
When asked by Football Insider for his thoughts on the PGMOL’s decision to drop Mason, Robinson said: “What else can they do?
“It is probably benefitting the teams they are playing against.
“It is difficult to stomach but you cannot overturn decision and you cannot overturn results. What other punishment can you give the officials?
“They are where they are for a reason. They have got the qualifications and they are the best of the best.
“People make mistakes. You cannot punish somebody forever.
“The punishment fits the crime really. It does not help Newcastle though.”
In other news, a pundit has suggested the real reason Martin Dubravka left Newcastle United after clause revealed.