The penalty awarded to Brighton during their match against Arsenal at The Amex has sparked controversy, particularly after new footage surfaced, yet the decision remained unchanged by VAR.
The incident occurred when Brighton’s Joao Pedro fell after an apparent minor head collision with Arsenal’s William Saliba. Referee Anthony Taylor awarded the penalty, leading to protests from Arsenal players and fans.
Pedro converted the penalty, maintaining his perfect record from the spot and making a significant impact on the title race. The goal gave Liverpool an opportunity to extend their lead against Manchester United in their next match, adding weight to the contentious decision.
Despite Arsenal fans’ demands for a VAR review, the officiating team upheld Taylor’s decision. VAR officials concluded that there was no clear and obvious error in awarding the penalty. They assessed that Saliba’s contact with Pedro was sufficient to justify the call, as overturning a decision requires indisputable evidence, which they deemed absent.
However, this explanation has not satisfied Arsenal supporters, who have pointed to social media footage and replays suggesting that Saliba may have touched the ball before the collision.
Critics argue that VAR should have reviewed the footage more meticulously. While some replays indicate that Saliba made slight contact with the ball, the subsequent collision with Pedro could still be deemed a foul elsewhere on the field.
Moreover, Arsenal might consider themselves lucky that Saliba escaped further punishment. Had the officials interpreted the incident as a deliberate headbutt, Saliba could have been shown a red card.
This decision adds to Arsenal’s ongoing frustration with officiating, following last season’s disputes with the PGMOL. Manager Mikel Arteta is likely to be displeased with the outcome, as it renews debates about consistency in refereeing and the use of VAR in critical moments.
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