Sky Sports have dismissed claims PGMOL chief Howard Webb played a role in the decision to send off William Saliba during Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth.
Saliba was shown a red card at the Vitality Stadium after tangling up with Evanilson and bringing the Bournemouth striker down as he went to race through on goal.
Referee Robert Jones initially showed Saliba a yellow but was advised to consult the pitchside monitor by the Video Assistant Referee and proceeded to upgrade the yellow to a red.
Arsenal felt aggrieved by the decision, which came inside the opening half an hour, as the incident occurred just inside their half but former players Theo Walcott and Jamie Redknapp both said the correct decision was made.
Many Arsenal fans also questioned if former referee Webb influenced the decision from the stands as the referee chief was seen texting and talking on his phone as VAR checked the incident.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher and sports presenter Richard Keys were even among those questioning if Webb played a role in the sending off.
‘Was Howard Webb involved in the decision making of the red card of Saliba?’ Carragher asked in a now-deleted social media post.
Keys, meanwhile, said: ‘Who was Howard Webb texting? And why?’
After Bournemouth’s 2-0 win over Arsenal, Sky Sports presenter David Jones attempted to clarify the situation, saying Webb was listening to the officials communicate but had ‘no input’ into the decision.
‘You might have seen on social media, there have been one or two people speculating about what Howard Webb was up to in the crowd [during the VAR check],’ Jones said.
‘He’s got that earpiece in, he’s got his phone out. What we understand he’s doing is he’s listening to a match feed of the VAR officials and their communication with the on-field officials, just as we do as broadcasters.
‘But he has no input and has no ability to talk to the officials who are actually making the decisions. Just to clear that up for you.’
Sky Sports pundit Redknapp also dismissed the conspiracy theories, saying: ‘Howard Webb is not trying to communicate with the officials from the stands.
‘He’s watching the game. Anyone who thinks that, to have the audacity, or ego, to think “I am going to influence the game”, we’re talking nonsense now to even question that.
‘He is at the game and listening to the audio. But he can’t turn round to the referee. We’ve got VAR and everyone there looking at it why would he even dream to get involved?’
On Saliba’s red card, Redknapp added: ‘There’s absolutely no doubt if he had no put his arms on him, he [William Saliba] would have got there first.
‘He is one of the quickest players, one of the quickest defenders. He would have at least had enough pace to get help.
‘Your natural inclination is to panic, grab him and he’s thinking “what have I done?” Then Gabriel went to the referee and there’s a few guilty signs.
‘It’s definitely a foul. Ben White you could argue, can he get back in time, but my guess is no. It was definitely denying a goalscoring opportunity.’
The Premier League also explained why VAR upgraded Saliba’s yellow card to a red, writing on X: ‘The referee gave Saliba a yellow card for a challenge on Evanilson.
‘The VAR deemed that Saliba denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and recommended an on-field review. The referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card.’
Arsenal attempted to grind out a result after going down to 10 men but second-half goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert condemned the Gunners to their first defeat of the season.
It was Arsenal’s second Premier League defeat of 2024, across 26 games this and last season, and their first away loss this calendar year.
Reacting to the setback, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said: ‘We’ve kicked ourselves in the foot three times in eight games and we got away with it at home to Brighton and away at Manchester City.
‘Bournemouth kept probing and made it 2-0. I’m proud of the players for fighting, even with 10 men, but the naivety, we need to stop making mistakes because you want 11 players for 90 minutes and that’s what wins you football matches.
‘With 10 men we showed a lot of character and personality to stay in the game. The big chance was Martinelli’s and the keeper read it and made a great save and one minute later, normally a routine we are so strong at, has done us.
‘We can’t make silly mistakes. You need all your best players on the pitch at all times. The belief is so high and we will stick together.
‘This is football, whatever happens the most important thing is that you stick together and stay in the right direction.’
While Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Premier League, Bournemouth moved into the top-half of the table, above Manchester United, after winning their third game of the season.
Cherries boss Andoni Iraola said: ‘It was quite a mature win because it is a tricky situation [playing against 10 men].
‘We started well for the first 30 minutes and then the red card changes the game. We had to control the game, attack but don’t lose our minds as even with 10 men, set plays, free-kicks they can be a threat.
‘Luckily for us we took the benefit of having one man more.’
Saliba’s red card means he will miss next weekend’s clash against current Premier League leaders Liverpool.
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