Benjamin Sesko: Howard Webb believes Man Utd forward handled ball vs Liverpool but VAR could not disallow due to lack of evidence
Benjamin Sesko scored a controversial goal for Manchester United vs Liverpool earlier in May; Howard Webb believes Sesko handled the ball but VAR were unable to find conclusive evidence to disallow the strike; Webb also admits a mistake was made not to give Everton a penalty at West Ham
Tuesday 12 May 2026 15:50, UK
Howard Webb believes the ball hit Benjamin Sesko's hand as he scored for Manchester United against Liverpool - but also says VAR could not disallow the goal for handball as they did not have enough evidence.
Earlier this month, Sesko's goal in United's 3-2 win over Liverpool - which put the hosts 2-0 up in the first half - was controversially allowed to stand despite strong claims of handball.
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Footage appeared to show the ball brushing Sesko's fingers - with the Laws of the Game stating that goals must be disallowed if the goalscorer uses any part of his hand in scoring.
However, the audio of the VAR investigation into the goal saw both the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and the Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR) say they could not find any conclusive evidence that the hand was used.
"The clip speaks for itself. I think it probably does hit the hand," said Webb in the latest episode of Match Officials Mic'd Up. "But of course, the VAR need that conclusivity. They need to be absolutely certain that it does.
"It doesn't matter what we think, it's what they think. We do ask them to be sure that something needs acting on.
"Certainly Sesko doesn't deliberately handle this, he doesn't make himself big. It's all very natural. But of course, the laws of the game require any goal that comes off the hand from the player who scores immediately, the goal needs to be disallowed. That means the VAR has no option but to start looking for that.
"Sometimes it looks like they're being too forensic and you hear the VAR looking from various angles. They want to get it right, if it does conclusively come off the arm. But they don't get to that level of certainty.
"They probably think it does [come off the hand] as well but they need to be absolutely categorical to get involved. They couldn't find it. That's why the on-field decision stood."
Webb: Penalty should have been given to Everton at West Ham
Webb also admitted the officials made a mistake in not giving Everton a penalty at West Ham last month.
The Hammers won that game 2-1 in an important game at the bottom of the table. With the score at 1-0 to West Ham, Fernandes appeared to swat at the ball with his hands in a duel with Thierno Barry.
Reacting to the incident live, VAR Michael Salisbury said: "It's a total accident. It's a total accident. He's gone to grab the player. I'm going to confirm this.
"Fernandes' hand does touch the ball but it's a grappling motion with the attacker and it's a total accident."
However, Webb believes that a penalty should have been given in that instance as "it is what the game expects".
"From the outset, we think a penalty should have been awarded here against Fernandes," said Webb. "However, I don't think he deliberately intended to handle the ball.
"Most penalties that are given where there's no intent to handle the ball are when players make themselves unnaturally bigger, they take a risk by putting their arm out to block a shot or cross. And they know if the ball does touch their arm or hand in that position then they're going to pay the price for that.
"He doesn't make himself unnaturally bigger. He moves his arm forward - I think he tries to prevent the attacker from turning him. He can't even see the ball. But Fernandes knows more or less where the ball is.
"It's a deliberate action with his arm - probably not to handle the ball but to do something - and therefore, I think we've given Fernandes way too much of the benefit of the doubt.
"The game expects a penalty in this situation. We have to fall in line with what the game expects. In this situation, the penalty would have been the right outcome."
Barrott overrules assistant in not sending off Pope at Arsenal
The Match Officials Mic'd Up episode also saw referee Sam Barrott overrule one of his assistant referees in not deciding to send Nick Pope off in Arsenal's win over Newcastle last month.
Pope fouled Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres after rushing out of his goal. Initially, one of the assistant referees recommended a red card for the Newcastle goalkeeper.
"That's a foul, that's a foul. That's a red card as well. The keeper's out of the area," said one of Barrott's assistant referees.
However, the referee said: "No. Listen to me. He [Gyokeres] has got absolutely no control of the ball. The ball is at Malick Thiaw's feet when they're coming together. He's very wide."
VAR Jarred Gillett agreed with Barrott's judgement, saying: "When the foul's made, that defender is closer to the ball. I think yellow card the right decision. I think the defender's going to get across.
"There's way too much doubt in that position of the pitch. The Newcastle defender is in close proximity and has a realistic chance to get across and cover."
Analysing the incident, Webb said: "It's a clear foul on Gyokeres, he brings him down. There's only one thing that saves Nick Pope in this situation.
"Importantly, Thiaw is probably favourite to get on that ball. If Thiaw was further away, we would probably be looking at a different colour card here. It's a skilful use of officiating in real time."
