The VAR controversy surrounding Arsenal’s defeat at Newcastle on Saturday has taken many twists and turns, and former referee Mark Clattenburg has now given his verdict.
There were several debatable decisions made by referee Stuart Attwell and the VAR team during the game at St James’ Park, which included controversial calls on fouls from Bruno Guimaraes and Kai Havertz.
Guimaraes was not sent off for what appeared to be violent conduct for striking Jorginho, in a decision which went against the FA’s own rules, whilst Havertz was lucky to not be dismissed for a heavy tackle in the first half.
Anthony Gordon then scored what proved to be the winner in the second half, but the goal was checked for three separate offences before being given. Clattenburg has now claimed that the goal should have been ruled out.
Clattenburg believes Gordon’s goal against Arsenal should have been ruled out
Writing in the Daily Mail, the former Premier League referee claimed that one of the offences, a push from Joelinton on defender Gabriel Magalhaes, was a clear and obvious error which should have led to the goal being overturned.
“The whole goal didn’t feel right and if there was a moment to disallow it then it was this as Joelinton clearly pushed Gabriel,” he claimed.
Gabriel was pushed by Joelinton
Clattenburg has confirmed what most Arsenal fans saw, that Gabriel was pushed by Joelinton with enough force and intent to constitute a foul.
Gary Neville accused the defender of being easily outmuscled on Sky Sports, highlighting that Gabriel is already falling before the push, but this is clearly not the case: Gabriel was lowering himself to get underneath the ball to clear it.
Joelinton has two outstretched arms putting pressure on Gabriel’s back, and even the back of his neck, preventing him from jumping in the buildup to the goal, and this was a foul which VAR remarkably did not overturn.
Although Arsenal were not at their best going forward, they did not deserve to lose the game given the way they defended, and Mikel Arteta is right to be furious at the decisions given on the day.
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