The reason VAR did not alter the penalty decision against Arsenal in favor of Brighton, despite new footage being released, is based on the officials’ assessment of the incident.
During the match at The Amex, Brighton’s Joao Pedro fell after what appeared to be a minor clash of heads with Arsenal’s William Saliba. Referee Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty, which sparked strong reactions from Arsenal players and supporters.
Pedro successfully converted the penalty, maintaining his flawless record from the spot. This goal had a significant impact on the title race, providing Liverpool with an opportunity to increase their lead over Manchester United in their upcoming match.
Even though Arsenal fans called for VAR to reassess the decision, Taylor’s initial call was largely upheld. The VAR team determined there was not enough evidence to overturn the decision.
They concluded that Saliba’s contact with Pedro was sufficient to justify the penalty, as VAR only overturns decisions when there is clear evidence of an error.
Despite this, Arsenal fans continue to express dissatisfaction, pointing to social media and replays suggesting Saliba may have touched the ball before the collision. Critics argue that VAR should have more thoroughly examined the footage.
Some replays appear to show Saliba making slight contact with the ball, but the contact with Pedro would likely still be considered a foul in other areas of the field.
Additionally, Arsenal may feel lucky that Saliba wasn’t shown a red card, as a deliberate headbutt could have resulted in such a punishment.
This latest refereeing controversy places Arsenal at the center of yet another debate, and given last season’s issues with the PGMOL, Mikel Arteta is likely to be very frustrated.
