Brighton should have had penalty at Tottenham for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg tackle on Kaoru Mitoma, admits PGMOL

The PGMOL has admitted a mistake was made by the match officials and VAR when not awarding a penalty to Brighton in Saturday’s Premier League game against Tottenham.

Howard Webb, PGMOL’s chief refereeing officer, has apologised to Brighton and held talks with them about the decision-making process in the game.

It is the third apology the club have been given by PGMOL this season for decisions made on the field.

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Brighton had two goals disallowed against Tottenham by VAR and a penalty claim ignored in a feisty game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium The VAR calls which went against Brighton

17 mins: With Spurs leading 1-0, Kaoru Mitoma’s goal is ruled out for handball but replays show it may have hit his chest.

55 mins: VAR rules out Alexis Mac Allister’s goal for handball after he deflects in Danny Welbeck’s shot

72 mins: : Mitoma goes down under Hojbjerg’s challenge but VAR says no penalty, along with referee Stuart Attwell.

The scores were level at 1-1 when Kaoru Mitoma appeared to be fouled by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the area, with referee Stuart Attwell initially declining to penalise the Tottenham midfielder.

The footage was looked at quickly by VAR Michael Salisbury at Stockley Park, before play resumed with no spot-kick being awarded.

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PGMOL apologises to Brighton for VAR not giving penalty against Spurs

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It was one of three strong claims by Brighton – none of which were awarded to the visitors.

Brighton are seeking further clarification on other decisions by the match officials during the game and are disappointed they had two goals disallowed.

They are also keen for a wider discussion regarding other decisions that have gone against them this season.

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the clash between Tottenham and Brighton in the Premier League

Tottenham went on to win the feisty encounter – which saw both Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and Tottenham interim boss Cristian Stellini sent off – 2-1 to keep themselves within three points of the top four.

Defeat for Brighton saw them drop down to seventh, 10 points off fourth-placed Manchester United.

Sky Sports News has contacted PGMOL for comment.

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Jeff Stelling reacts to the decision not to give Brighton a penalty

Brighton’s first apology from PGMOL this season came after referee David Coote and VAR Neil Swarbrick decided not to send off Fabinho for a nasty challenge on Evan Ferguson during the Seagulls’ FA Cup fourth-round victory over Liverpool.

The second came after Pervis Estupinan had a goal incorrectly disallowed in the 1-1 Premier League draw at Crystal Palace when the VAR drew the offside lines in the wrong place when reviewing the goal.

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Roberto De Zerbi and Cristian Stellini clash on the touchline before both are sent off

Following the defeat at Tottenham, Brighton defender Lewis Dunk hit out at the officials, saying: “There’s no point having VAR in the game if you’re not going to make big decisions like that. That changes everything, I just don’t understand it.”

Dunk also questioned why the officials decided to uphold the decision to disallow Mitoma’s earlier goal for a debateable handball but not overturn the call not to give the Japanese winger what looked to be a clear penalty, adding: “They can make the decision for the handball but can’t make the other ones.

“I think they made one tight decision for a handball but they don’t make a clear decision on the penalty.”

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PGMOL also apologised to Brighton after admitting the VAR made a mistake in disallowing Pervis Estupinan’s goal against Crystal Palace in February

Stellini admitted at full-time that Spurs were lucky with the VAR decisions, saying: “It is the first time this season we are lucky with the VAR. We have to enjoy this moment because we were many times not lucky with VAR. One time it happened for us.

“We respected many times VAR decisions. Today, everyone has to respect it.

“We conceded their aggression. We were not so aggressive. We were quiet, focused on the game only.

“I don’t want to speak about this. I want to speak about the game, the way we finished, fought and didn’t concede the goal.”