Brighton received an apology from the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) after VAR failed to award them a penalty against Tottenham.

Referee chief Howard Webb acknowledged that Brighton should have been given a spot-kick for a foul by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on Kaoru Mitoma.

During the match, as Mitoma controlled the ball in the box with the score tied at 1-1, Hojbjerg stepped on his boot and Mitoma went down.

However, the initial appeals from Brighton were waved away by referee Stuart Attwell, and despite a VAR check, no decision was reversed or reviewed on the TV monitor.

Spurs went on to win 2-1 with a controversial late goal from Harry Kane.

Brighton, who also had two goals disallowed by VAR for handball in the same match, have demanded an explanation from the PGMOL.

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk expressed frustration, questioning the purpose of VAR if it fails to make correct decisions on clear fouls.

“I don’t see what VAR is here for. You bring it in for big decisions and don’t make big decisions. What is the point of it? He has clearly fouled him.”

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