NYCFC head coach Ronny Deila watches second-half action on Saturday. (Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports)
The Professional Referee Organization admitted on Sunday that that “a significant officiating error” happened in the eighth minute New York City FC’s 2-1 loss at Toronto RC on Saturday.
PRO said that the Video Assistant Referee incorrectly determined the awarding of a penalty kick to be a clear and obvious error as the selection of camera angles examined did not reveal foul contact from Toronto FC’s Kosi Thompson on City forward Talles Magno.
The game was scoreless at the time.
While an available camera angle did reveal foul contact, that alternative camera angle was not examined by the VAR, nor was it made available to the referee on the pitch-side monitor. The referee changed his decision and rescinded the penalty kick.
PRO said that it confirmed that the awarding of a penalty kick was not a clear and obvious error, and the referee’s initial decision should have been allowed to stand.
On Saturday, NYCFC head coach Ronny Deila did not criticize game officials, although he talked about his exasperation of seeing calls being ruled against his team.
“This is not the first time it’s happening,” Deila said during a postgame press conference. “I’m starting to get used to this now because it’s happening five six times every year.
“I don’t know. It’s like a player or a coach who makes a mistake over and over again. In the end you just give up, just give up. That’s the worst thing.
“It’s irritating for the boys because we started the game really well.”
“I talked to the referee, and he admitted a mistake.”
