Crystal Palace were left frustrated after their 1-1 draw with Sunderland, with manager Oliver Glasner voicing his disappointment at what he called a “clear penalty” that was not awarded to his side. The incident occurred midway through the second half when Palace forward Eberechi Eze appeared to be brought down inside the box under a challenge from Sunderland defender Dan Ballard. Referee Michael Salisbury waved play on, and VAR did not intervene – leaving Glasner visibly angered at full-time.
Speaking after the game, Glasner did not hold back. “I don’t like to complain about referees, but this was a clear penalty. Everyone in the stadium could see it. Eze had position, he was taken down, and it changes the game completely if we get that decision,” the Austrian said. His comments sparked plenty of debate among fans and pundits alike, but former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has now offered his expert insight into why the decision went against Palace.
According to Clattenburg, the key detail lies in the nature of the contact and the interpretation of the laws. Writing in his weekly refereeing column, Clattenburg explained: “While there was contact between Ballard and Eze, the referee was correct to let play continue. The defender makes a fair attempt to play the ball and there is minimal lower-body contact. Eze’s fall comes after the challenge, and that is why VAR did not recommend a review. The threshold for overturning an on-field decision is high, and this did not meet the standard for a ‘clear and obvious’ error.”
Clattenburg further added that VAR is instructed to stay out of subjective calls unless the footage shows a clear mistake. “Fans often think any contact equals a penalty, but the laws of the game are clear – football is a contact sport. Salisbury had a good view of the incident, and since Eze appears to go down after feeling the hand on his shoulder, there is an element of exaggeration. That likely convinced both the referee and VAR that this was not a penalty offence.”
While Clattenburg’s explanation may cool some of the anger, Palace supporters will still feel aggrieved given the context of the match. The Eagles had dominated possession and looked the more threatening side, and a spot kick could have secured a crucial three points as they continue to chase a European place. Instead, they were left to settle for a single point, allowing Sunderland to escape with a hard-earned draw.
Glasner, for his part, refused to dwell on the controversy, turning his focus to the team’s performance. “We controlled the game, we created chances, and we played good football. The decision is frustrating, yes, but we cannot rely on referees. We must take our opportunities earlier and make sure the result is in our hands.”
Palace now turn their attention to next weekend’s fixture, where Glasner will be hoping for sharper finishing – and perhaps a bit more luck with key decisions – as his side looks to stay in the hunt for a top-seven finish.
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