In a statement released by Football Australia, Head of Referees Jon Moss deemed the decision not to award Western United a penalty after an incident in the club’s Round 4 Isuzu UTE A-League clash with Adelaide United an “error of judgement” by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Adelaide continued their unbeaten start to the Isuzu UTE A-League season on Saturday night courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Western United – a game which featured a contentious non-penalty call when Adelaide defender Ryan Kitto’s challenge on Western United forward Abel Walatee inside the box went unpunished at Coopers Stadium.
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The incident did not result in a penalty awarded on the field and there was no intervention by VAR as play resumed with the score level at 1-1. Adelaide went on to win the game with Zach Clough’s second-half strike the difference.
On Monday afternoon, Football Australia released the following statement after Head of Referee Moss reviewed of the call:
“Football Australia Head of Referees’ Jon Moss has reviewed the incident during the 59th minute of the Adelaide United FC vs Western United FC Isuzu UTE A-League Men match at Coopers Stadium, Adelaide on Saturday evening (9 November) involving Adelaide’s Ryan Kitto and Western’s Abel Walatee.
“The Video Assistant Referee reviewed a number of angles of the incident and felt no contact was made by the Adelaide player.
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“This is an error in judgement by the Video Assistant Referee and the incident should have been reviewed and ultimately, a penalty awarded.
“Football Australia has since spoken to Western United FC about the incident and provided feedback to the Match Officials.
“Over the course of the first four rounds of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2024/25 season, the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee has led to ten incidents being corrected, with the League leading the way globally with Live Referee Communication to fans in stadium and on broadcast as part of the process.”
