Perry Groves, a former player for Arsenal, has commented on referee Graig Pawson’s decision to overturn Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal for Manchester United during their Sunday Premier League match against Newcastle United.
The 37-year-old thought he had broken the deadlock in the opening seconds of the second half before Pawson made the decision to book the Portuguese.
After stealing the ball from Newcastle goalie Nick Pope in the center of the field, the Portuguese legend scored the peculiar goal.
To restart play, Pawson sounded his whistle, allowing the visitors to take the free kick they had first been given for an earlier offside.
Ronaldo and his teammates disagreed with the official’s ruling, claiming the free kick had already been taken.
“Just looking at Craig Pawson, it appears like he’s got his arm up to say when Nick Pope can take it,” Groves said on talkSPORT. However, based on how he appears, I don’t believe he understands what is happening.
”It’s a very difficult one because they [the Newcastle players] will all say they’ve not taken the free-kick.”
