REFEREE Chris Beath has admitted that two match-turning calls he made against the Newcastle Jets in the 4-2 loss to Melbourne Victory were wrong.
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With the score in Geelong on Monday night nil-all, Beath awarded Victory a penalty for handball after a cross struck Jets defender Johnny Koutroumbis on the shoulder.
Then with the Jets down 2-0, he denied the visitors a penalty despite a clear handball by Victory skipper Carl Valeri inside his own 18-yard box.
Jets coach Mark Jones vented his frustration at the calls after the game. His anger was justified.
“Having the benefit of reviewing the incidents on video after the match, Chris realises that he made two incorrect decisions in relation to hand ball,” referees boss Ben Wilson said.
Jets chief executive Lawrie, who sent Wilson an email asking for an explanation, was satisfied with the response.
“It is not going to change the game or the result,” McKinna said. “It shows that they are willing to listen to clubs and put their hand up when they get something wrong. We all make mistakes. You put your hand up, you don’t try and hide from it.”
Beath is one of the three full-time professional referees alongside Jarred Gillett and Shaun Evans.
Referee appointments for next round are released on Thursday but McKinna doesn’t expect Beath to be dropped.
“We wanted an explanation and we received that,” McKinna said.
The A-League will be the first league in the world to introduce a Video Assistant Referee system in round 26, which Wilson welcomed.
“We believe that the introduction of the VAR system will provide referees with the necessary information to help reduce these types of errors in the future,” Wilson said.
Meanwhile, the Jets have a second spot available in the transfer window after the departure of Mitch Cooper. The 22-year-old midfielder, who hasn't made a senior appearance this season, agreed on Wednesday to a mutual termination of the the final five months of his contract. Radovan Pavicevic, who is on trial at Chennai City FC, was released last month.