Liverpool news: Why Jan Vertonghen's pull on Joel Matip did not result in a penalty against Tottenham

Bobby Madley's reasoning behind the decision was sound

Madley, the match referee, awards Tottenham's Danny Rose a yellow card (Getty)

Confusion reigned at White Hart Lane on Saturday as referee Bobby Madley failed to award a penalty for Jan Vertonghen’s clear pull on Joel Matip’s shirt at a corner.

The incident, which came in the first half of Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, appeared to contradict new rules regarding grappling on set-pieces.

Referees are clamping down on grapping in the penalty area on set-pieces this season following a directive from the Professional Game Match Officials Board.

Mike Dean awarded two penalties in Manchester City’s 4-1 win at Stoke City last weekend – one for each side – after spotting Ryan Shawcross and Raheem Sterling impeding their opponents unfairly.

Madley, however, chose not to point to the spot and merely warned Vertonghen instead, before allowing the corner to be re-taken.

Although this decision baffled many, the official’s reasoning was sound.

According to Fifa’s Laws of the Game, world football’s rulebook, rule 12 states: "Direct and indirect free kicks and penalty kicks can only be awarded for offences and infringements committed when the ball is in play."

Madley, it appears, did not believe the foul had been committed while the ball was in play and, although he blew his whistle after Jordan Henderson had taken the corner, he merely warned Vertonghen and did not award a penalty.

Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, expressed his bemusement at the decision following the game and joked that his team should take their corners quicker in future.

If the ref waits one second then it is 100 per cent a penalty, do we have to make the corner quicker?

“Ask him what the rules are. I’ve no idea what is right,” he added. “I would prefer he said nothing and watched the situation and then it is a penalty.”