Sports
EPL referee, Kevin Friend suspended after controversial Liverpool penalty
<h4><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Kevin Friend is yet to be given a match in the Premier League&#8217;s next round of matches.</span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Friend was in charge of the game between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, which the Reds won 3-1.</span></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18596" src="https://thedailypage.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/FotoJet-2022-02-02T014622.095-300x158.jpg" alt="EPL referee, Kevin Friend suspended after controversial Liverpool penalty" width="300" height="158" /></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">With minutes left on the clock, Diogo Jota surged clear and bundled into Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Before VAR began looking for confirmation, Kevin Friend awarded a penalty. Craig Pawson, a Stokely Park employee, then encouraged him to go to the monitor.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Friend analyzed the slow-motion videos and changed his mind, as he had done all season.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It was the 49th time a referee was asked to consult the pitch-side monitor, and each time the initial decision was reversed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Friend&#8217;s turnaround drew a lot of reactions, and he won&#8217;t be on any duty when the EPL resume their games in the middle of next week.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">He was also passed over for VAR duty.</span></p>