Premier League forced to release three statements in Fulham vs Ipswich after major controversy

In order to explain VAR rulings during Fulham’s thrilling 2-2 match against Ipswich Town, the Premier League

was compelled to issue three comments.

Marco Silva’s team wanted to keep up their recent success, but Sammie Szmodics’ deflected effort gave the Tractor

Boys the lead, and they went behind. However, just moments before, the Welsh international bore down on goal

and Leif Davis escaped a red card for a challenge on Harry Wilson, leaving the Fulham boss furious.

The Portuguese continued to protest during the half, as he was seen chatting with referee Darren Bond. His cries

for a penalty kick were granted halfway through the first half when VAR intervened and Wilson was brought down

once more.

Initially, the trip on the attacking midfielder was ignored by the official until Paul Tierney told that he should

consult the pitchside monitor. In doing so, he overturned his initial ruling and Raul Jimenez made no mistake

from 12 yards. Minutes later, however, Timothy Castagne caught Liam Delay, and Bond pointed to the spot

without hesitation, giving the relegation-threatened team the lead again.

According to the Premier League Match Centre X account, which provides justifications for VAR rulings, Davis

was not sent off after 27 minutes because it was not thought that he had been denied a chance to score. The

statement continued: “The referee’s call of yellow card for the challenge by Davis on Wilson was checked and

confirmed by VAR, who deemed that this was not denial of a goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO).”

They had to give two further explanations in the second half, the first of which was for Wilson’s foul. “VAR

recommended an on-field review for the challenge by Morsy on Wilson, deeming that contact was sufficient for a

penalty and occurred inside the area,” the report stated. “Upon review, the referee overturned his original call of

no penalty.”

The Premier League clarified that Bond had made the right call on the field when it was discovered that VAR

believed the Belgian international had made contact. “The referee’s call of penalty for the challenge by Castagne

on Delap was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed that the contact was sufficient for a penalty.” In the

final moments, Fulham was given the chance to salvage a point after Davis tripped Jimenez after he had weaved

in and out. The Mexican dusted himself down and finished with ease, rifling his penalty into the spot-kick to earn a

point.