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Ref's Penalty Call Reversed: Arsenal Escapes VAR Blunder
23 Sep
Summary
- Independent panel ruled Sunderland's penalty against Arsenal was incorrect.
- The on-field referee's initial call was unanimously overturned by the review.
- Arsenal's goalkeeper saved the penalty, preventing a potential disadvantage.
Mikel Arteta's strong reaction to a penalty decision against his Arsenal side has been supported by an independent review. The Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has unanimously determined that the penalty awarded to Sunderland earlier this month was an incorrect call by referee John Brooks. The incident occurred during a corner, where Ezri Konsa was initially judged to have fouled Dan Ballard.
Despite the panel's agreement that the penalty should not have been given, VAR's decision not to recommend an on-field review was upheld by a majority. The panel cited the combined actions of both players as a reason for the non-intervention. Fortunately for Arsenal, the spot-kick was ultimately saved by goalkeeper David Raya, meaning the team did not suffer a disadvantage from the contentious decision. Arsenal, currently second in the Premier League, is preparing for their next match after the international break.
