Arsenal fans have taken to social media to vent their frustration after Leandro Trossard was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, while Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku faced no punishment for a similar action. The incident occurred during a heated 2-2 draw between the two teams, raising questions about the referee’s decisions and consistency in applying the rules.
During the first half of the game, Doku nudged the ball away as Arsenal prepared to take a free kick, but he wasn’t booked for the action. Fans and players alike were left wondering why Doku escaped punishment, while Trossard’s similar action resulted in his sending off. This situation drew considerable attention, with many calling for a clearer explanation of the referee’s decisions.
To better understand the reasoning, it’s important to examine the full context of the incident. Referee Michael Oliver’s decision not to book Doku stems from the fact that Doku’s action was not seen as an attempt to waste time. As Arsenal players protested, Oliver pointed to where the ball had ended up and explained, “It was there.” Doku was simply returning the ball to the spot of the foul, not delaying the game, and in doing so, he may have even helped speed up the play.
In contrast, Trossard’s actions were seen as a deliberate attempt to waste time. After City were awarded a free kick, Trossard kicked the ball far from where the foul had occurred, long after the whistle had blown. This blatant time-wasting behavior left Oliver with no choice but to issue Trossard a second yellow card, resulting in his dismissal just before halftime.
While the two actions may have appeared similar at first glance, the context and intent behind each player’s behavior were different, which influenced Oliver’s decisions. The frustration from Arsenal fans is understandable, but in this case, the referee’s judgment was based on the intent behind each incident rather than the actions themselves.
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