Lee Mason was embroiled in controversy on Saturday as the Premier League referee harshly disallowed Brighton a goal at West Brom.
The Seagulls thought they had levelled when Seagulls defender Lewis Dunk curled in a quick free-kick from 20 yards.
Mason blew his whistle to signal the start of the set piece – before quickly blowing again – but in between Dunk had shot and scored.
Mason instantly disallowed the goal and ordered a retake, then Brighton players surrounded him to complain and the referee eventually gave the goal...only to finally reverse his decision after a chaotic few minutes as VAR watched over the footage and ordered the Seagulls to retake their initial free-kick.
Graham Potter and Sam Allardyce looked bemused on the touchline as Mason tried to regain order, but the damage was already done.
The Premier League explained the decision in a statement on Twitter, saying: “Lewis Dunk takes a quick free-kick and bends the ball into the net but after consulting the VAR, referee Lee Mason has overturned the goal because the whistle had been blown a second time before the ball had crossed the line.”
Watch: Lee Mason disallows Lewis Dunk's free-kick
Drama at the Hawthorns!
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) February 27, 2021
• Lewis Dunk scores quick free-kick
• Goal disallowed by Lee Mason
• Goal given by Lee Mason
• Goal reviewed by VAR
• Goal disallowed
Five extraordinary minutes. Have you ever seen anything like it?!
🤯 #WBABHA | #BHAFCpic.twitter.com/tXDDcEHmMO
Pundits hit out at decision
Former England star Alex Scott said on the BBC’s Football Focus: “The whole situation and how that was dealt with was an embarrassment.
“One minute it was given then it wasn’t and then it went to VAR – you need someone to take control and explain and then it stops everything that we’ve just seen happen from happening.”
Gary Lineker was equally scathing on Twitter, saying: “This is a first even with the levels this season’s bonkersness. Lee Mason has disallowed a goal, then given a goal, then disallowed a goal. Best, confused of Leicester.
“The reason it was disallowed was because the ref blew his whistle for a 2nd time just before it crossed the line, which stops play. Never seen that happen before but highlights the nonsensity of a law that stops the side who’ve been fouled gaining an advantage.”
