News

West Bromwich Albion: Mark Halsey claims Baggies have been ‘hard done by’

|
Image for West Bromwich Albion: Mark Halsey claims Baggies have been ‘hard done by’

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has claimed that West Bromwich Albion have been “hard done by” in recent weeks by VAR.

During the Baggies’ recent clash with Manchester United, VAR was involved on a number of crucial occasions, as Slaven Bilic’s side fell to a 1-0 defeat (per BBC).

Initially, West Brom were awarded a penalty against the Red Devils before it was chalked off after a VAR check, and then, later in the game, VAR had a Bruno Fernandes penalty which had been saved by Sam Johnstone retaken.

In the latest round of Premier League fixtures, Matheus Pereira was sent off following an intervention from VAR in the Baggies’ 5-1 defeat against Crystal Palace.

1 of 10

How well do you remember the action from the opening weekend of the Premier League? - 1. Who scored the first goal of the season?

Speaking exclusively to This is Futbol, Halsey said: “I feel sorry for West Brom and I feel sorry for Slaven Bilic because they’ve been hard done by in the last few weeks by VAR.

“If you go back to the Manchester United game at Old Trafford, the penalty they should have got was a clear penalty, a foul on [Conor] Gallagher, VAR shouldn’t have got involved.

“Then, West Brom get a penalty given against them for handball and just before that handball, there was a clear foul on Gallagher that should have been picked up.”

Have West Brom been harshly treated by VAR in recent weeks?

Yes, we have been

Yes, we have been

No, we've not been

No, we've not been

The Baggies are currently struggling for form in the top flight as they have won just one of their opening 11 top-flight matches (per Transfermarkt).

In fact, Albion have lost four of their last five outings in the Premier League.

Halsey continued: “They’ve really been hard done by and decisions like this cost managers their jobs, and we’ve got to get it right.

“Again, we’re getting VAR officials re-refereeing the games when they should not be getting involved.”

The defeat against Roy Hodgson’s side on Sunday has left the Baggies sitting second-bottom in the top-flight table with just six points on the board (per BBC).

Share this article