Key referee decision in Arsenal v Porto dubbed ‘one of the most laughable’ ever made

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Arsenal’s hard-fought victory over FC Porto was a dramatic one, with both sides committing to a fiery affair which ended in penalties.

Mikel Arteta and Sergio Conceicao went to war on the touchline, whilst Arsenal were frustrated by Porto’s time-wasting antics both on and off the pitch.

Arsenal fans criticised the referees in both legs of the tie for letting Porto get away with endless timewasting, and continually punishing the Gunners for soft fouls.

Martin Odegaard also saw a goal controversially disallowed at the Emirates, but there were other decisions made by Clement Turpin which caused outrage amongst the fans in attendance.

Referees criticised in Arsenal victory over Porto

With Porto players time-wasting effectively to run the clock down, taking their time over dead ball situations, and often feigning injuries, there was significant uproar when just one minute of added time was awarded at the end of the first half.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, journalist Charles Watts claimed the decision over added time was one of the worst he had seen in a long time.

“One minute stoppage time that referee gave, in the first half, I mean that was genuinely one of the most laughable things I’ve seen in football in a long, long time,” he stated.

“One minute stoppage time, just genuinely remarkable.”

Arsenal’s constant stoppages against Porto

Given that the first half saw Leandro Trossard score, and William Saliba receive a yellow card, as well as a combined 12 shots, 12 fouls and three corners between the two sides, one minute of stoppage time being awarded appeared ludicrous to Arsenal and their fans.

Turpin earned himself a poor reputation amongst those at the Emirates, as he did not let the game flow, and harshly penalised fair tackles made by Arsenal players.

He gave 38 fouls overall, with Arsenal committing 18 and Porto committing 20. Porto also lost Alan Varela to injury, and both Arteta and Conceicao received bookings on the touchline.

The Champions League does not employ the same stoppage time rules now implemented in the Premier League, so it was unlikely to be a lengthy period added on, but the events of the game certainly merited a longer stoppage period than the one minute given.