Leicester 'let down' by 'offside' goal - Cooper

Crystal Palace have a goal awarded by VAR against LeicesterImage source, Reuters
Image caption,

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice in the second half at Selhurst Park to help Crystal Palace take a point

  • Published

Leicester manager Steve Cooper says the club have met with the Premier League to discuss "an awful human error" which gave Crystal Palace a goal in last weekend's 2-2 draw.

Cooper's side took a 2-0 lead early in the second half at Selhurst Park courtesy of Stephy Mavididi but Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice to give the Eagles a point.

Mateta's first goal was originally ruled out for offside, with the video assistant referee (VAR) overturning the decision despite replays appearing to show the French striker in an offside position.

Cooper says the club have shown evidence to the Premier League but have not received an apology.

"We're over it now, but it was an awful human error," said Cooper.

"We have seen images that show he clearly was offside, but they froze it at the wrong time - everything seen has been a false image."

However, refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) rejects Cooper's argument and insists there was no human error, nor was a mistake made - points made at a meeting with Leicester on Monday.

The body says all normal processes were followed in this case and were applied as they would be in any other Premier League game.

Leicester are without a win in their opening four games back in the Premier League and face pointless Everton at home on Saturday afternoon.

"We had a massive error go against us, errors like that shouldn't happen and it's why we're changing to the semi-automated system," Cooper added.

"We felt very let down by it. We needed to stand up for the club and tell the Premier League what we thought."

The independent Key Match Incidents panel - which reviews refereeing decisions in the Premier League each week - said the call to allow the goal was the right one, adding it was "an extremely tight call in real time, with Mateta being played onside by an outstretched leg, and correct use of the technology".