The Controversial Moment
In the 72nd minute of Aston Villa’s 2-0 loss to Manchester United on May 25, 2025, at Old Trafford, a potential goal by Morgan Rogers sparked debate, per ESPN. Harry Maguire’s back-pass to goalkeeper Altay Bayindir saw the 27-year-old hesitate, allowing Rogers to steal the ball. Before Rogers could score, referee Thomas Bramall blew for a foul, ruling that Rogers illegally challenged Bayindir while the ball was under his control. The decision prevented a goal that could have made it 2-1, altering the match’s outcome.
Why VAR Couldn’t Intervene
The VAR, led by Michael Salisbury, was unable to review the incident because Bramall’s whistle stopped play, rendering any subsequent action—Rogers’ potential goal—void, per IFAB Law 5.3. Once the whistle blows, the play is dead, locking out VAR intervention, even if the call was incorrect. On X, @DaleJohnsonESPN called Bramall’s quick whistle “a critical error,” noting it denied Villa a legitimate chance. The referee’s haste, rather than waiting to assess the play, was the decisive factor.
Was It a Foul?
The Laws of the Game define a goalkeeper’s control as the ball being “between the hands or between the hand and any surface (e.g., ground, own body)” or “touching it with any part of the hands or arms,” except rebounds or saves. Bayindir had the ball spinning in one glove, not both hands, nor was it on the ground with a hand on it. Rogers’ challenge dislodged the ball before Bayindir secured it with both gloves, and there was no kick to the goalkeeper’s hand, per The Sun’s analysis. Had VAR reviewed it, the goal would likely have been awarded, as Rogers’ action was legal.
Precedent and Context
Aston Villa faced a similar situation in December 2021 against Leicester City, when Jacob Ramsey’s goal was disallowed after Kasper Schmeichel had fingertips on the ball, with VAR overturning the on-field call, per BBC Sport. Unlike that case, Bayindir’s minimal control—lacking both hands or ground contact—did not meet the threshold for a foul. The incident exposed inconsistencies in refereeing, with @AVFCOfficial on X lamenting “another VAR injustice.” United’s 2-0 win, sealed by Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho, was unaffected, but Villa’s missed chance highlighted ongoing VAR controversies.
Broader Implications
The incident underscores the need for referees to delay whistling in tight situations, allowing VAR to assess, per The Athletic. Villa, finishing 10th with 52 points, missed a chance to close the gap on European spots, per Opta. United, ending 16th with 39 points, benefited from the call, but scrutiny fell on Bramall’s judgment. The Premier League’s final matchday saw other VAR debates, including red cards for Emiliano Martínez (correct for denying a goalscoring opportunity) and Ryan Gravenberch (upheld for serious foul play), but no handball penalties were missed, per Sky Sports. @PremierLeagueHQ noted the season’s 127 VAR interventions, with this call among the most contentious.
