The VAR decision not to overturn Brighton’s penalty against Arsenal, despite new footage surfacing, is causing significant debate due to the judgment made by the officiating team.
The controversy unfolded at The Amex Stadium when Brighton’s Joao Pedro went down following what appeared to be a minor head collision with Arsenal’s William Saliba. Referee Anthony Taylor quickly awarded a penalty, sparking outrage from Arsenal’s players and fans.
Pedro successfully converted the penalty, maintaining his perfect record from the spot. This goal had crucial implications for the Premier League title race, providing Liverpool an opportunity to extend their lead at the top with their upcoming match against Manchester United.
Arsenal fans, outraged by the decision, demanded a VAR review, urging officials to reconsider the call in light of the newly emerged footage.
However, the VAR team chose to uphold Taylor’s original decision, claiming there was insufficient evidence to classify it as a clear and obvious error. They argued that Saliba’s contact during the incident justified the penalty.
This explanation has failed to satisfy Arsenal supporters, many of whom have pointed to replay footage suggesting that Saliba may have made contact with the ball before the collision. Critics contend that VAR should have taken more time to carefully review the incident, especially as certain angles seem to show Saliba making slight contact with the ball.
Nonetheless, the force of the collision between Saliba and Pedro was likely judged as a foul, much like similar incidents that would be penalized elsewhere on the pitch.
The frustration for Arsenal has grown as some believe Saliba could have been given a red card for a deliberate headbutt if the incident had been interpreted differently.
This latest refereeing controversy has once again brought tensions between Arsenal and the Premier League’s officiating body, the PGMOL, to the forefront. The club has had prior disputes with the organization over decisions they felt were unfair in previous seasons.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is likely to voice his dissatisfaction, given the potential impact this decision could have on their title race. Ultimately, while VAR’s decision followed protocol, only overturning clear errors, the ongoing criticism about inconsistencies in officiating continues to grow, particularly from fans and pundits.
Arsenal remains at the center of debates surrounding VAR, leaving supporters questioning whether such controversies will ever be resolved in their favor.
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