Joël Veltman became the big scapegoat for Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday after conceding a penalty against Everton, but the defender disagreed with the VAR's intervention. Veltman committed a handball but was also lightly pushed.
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The Premier League clash between Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton ended in a narrow 0-1 victory for the visitors, with a highly contentious incident deciding the outcome.
The only goal of the match came shortly before halftime when Brighton defender Joël Veltman conceded a penalty after a handball in the box. Everton's Iliman Ndiaye converted the spot-kick, securing three vital points for his side in a game marked more by controversy than open play.
The moment in question occurred during a relatively quiet first half, with both teams focusing on maintaining defensive solidity. A long ball into Brighton’s penalty area caused a scramble involving Veltman and two Everton attackers. The Dutch defender, under pressure, appeared to touch the ball with his hand after being slightly nudged by one of the opposition players. The referee initially did not award a penalty, but a review by VAR flagged the incident as a potential handball violation. After being advised to review the play on the pitch-side monitor, the referee awarded Everton a penalty, citing Veltman’s action as deliberate.
The Premier League referees’ committee released a statement after the match explaining the decision. "The VAR checked for a possible handball penalty by Veltman and deemed it a deliberate action, advising an on-field review. The referee then awarded a penalty to Everton." While the explanation clarified the procedural steps, it did little to appease Brighton players, fans, or even some neutral pundits.
Joël Veltman, speaking to the media post-match, was visibly frustrated and adamant that his handball was unintentional. “There was a long ball, and I was sandwiched between two players. I got a slight push, which caused my hand to hit the ball. When you fall, it’s an automatic reaction because you try to brace yourself to avoid hitting your head on the ground. So, it’s a reaction, not an intentional handball,” he explained.
Veltman also expressed disappointment at the lack of consideration for the push he received in the buildup. “Without that handball, I would have cleared the ball one hundred percent with my head or feet. Without that push, it would have been a corner kick.”
The incident drew widespread attention and divided opinions among pundits. Gary Neville, analyzing the match on Match of the Day, sympathized with Veltman’s situation. “I understand why the penalty was given, but no player would ever do this intentionally in the penalty area. He was clearly pushed at full speed by both players, and in slow motion, everything looks a bit more like a penalty. But the fact that we can’t agree on it Danny Murphy and Alan Shearer included suggests it wasn’t clear and obvious.” Neville’s comments highlighted the inherent subjectivity in the decision, raising questions about the consistency of VAR interventions in such cases.
The “clear and obvious” criterion for VAR intervention, designed to ensure that the technology corrects only blatant errors, was a key point of contention. Many observers felt that the decision fell into a gray area, as the push on Veltman and the natural movement of his arm could have justified a no-call. The controversy reignited debates about the role of VAR in modern football, with critics arguing that slow-motion replays often distort the perception of incidents.
For Brighton, the result was a bitter pill to swallow. The loss not only cost them valuable points but also disrupted their recent momentum. Manager Roberto De Zerbi refrained from directly criticizing the officiating but expressed disappointment in the manner of the defeat. “It’s frustrating to lose like this, especially when it feels like the game was decided by factors beyond our control,” he said.
On the other hand, Everton will view the result as a hard-earned victory in a challenging away fixture. Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty was his third goal of the season, further solidifying his role as a key player for the Toffees. Manager Sean Dyche praised his team’s resilience and focus, particularly in maintaining their lead during the second half.
The outcome leaves Brighton with much to ponder as they aim to rebound in their next fixtures. For Everton, the victory is a morale boost and a potential turning point in their campaign, as they seek to climb the Premier League table. However, the shadow of controversy surrounding this match will linger, serving as yet another example of the complexities and debates that VAR continues to bring to football.
Updated: 11:55, 26 Jan 2025
