A Premier League panel has reviewed VAR’s decision on Newcastle’s winning goal against Arsenal, concluding that the goal was correctly awarded. However, they identified two missed red card incidents during the match.
The Independent Key Match Incidents Panel, consisting of former players and coaches, assessed the VAR decision regarding Newcastle’s winning goal.
They voted 4-1 in favour of not awarding a foul by Joelinton on Gabriel Magalhaes, as the Arsenal defender had made an action to play the ball before any contact.
Nevertheless, the panel unanimously agreed that Kai Havertz should have received a red card in the 36th minute for a dangerous tackle on Sean Longstaff, deeming it “a very dangerous challenge that needs to be eradicated.”
In a more divisive decision, a 3-2 split resulted in the conclusion that Bruno Guimaraes should have been shown a red card for his arm to the head of Arsenal’s Jorginho.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had criticised the VAR decision after the match as “embarrassing” and “a disgrace.” The ruling by the panel contradicts Arteta’s assessment.
"It's embarrassing. It's a disgrace. That's what it is, a disgrace."
Mikel Arteta is NOT happy with the decisions that went against Arsenal in their defeat to Newcastle 😠 pic.twitter.com/wRB4F3Hdvl
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 4, 2023
In a separate case, the panel found that the decision to award a decisive injury-time penalty to Sheffield United against Wolverhampton Wanderers was incorrect. However, they deemed all other refereeing decisions from the previous weekend, including those in the Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea match, to be accurate.
The Independent Key Match Incidents Panel aims to provide an impartial evaluation of decision-making during matches.
VAR’s controversial decisions continue to be a prominent topic in both English and European football. On Wednesday night, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expressed frustration with VAR after believing that three decisions went against his team in their 4-3 defeat to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League.
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