FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey has revealed why West Ham’s penalty against Arsenal was NOT overturned.
The Gunners were frustrated with the call that gave the Hammers the opportunity to get back in the game at 2-0 down.
After Thomas Partey was caught in possession by Declan Rice, the ball was squared to Lucas Paqueta who was clipped by Gabriel in the box, despite the defender’s best efforts to avoid contact with his fellow Brazilian.
David Coote immediately pointed to the spot, with VAR confirming the call – gifting West Ham their first goal.
Some Arsenal fans weren’t convinced there was enough contact for a penalty to be given.
While others pointed to an apparent handball by Rice while dispossessing Partey.
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But Halsey, now 61, refereed in the Premier League from 1999-2013 – and he believes the Paqueta penalty was the right call.
He told SunSport: “Lucas Paqueta went past Gabriel and it’s clear the Arsenal defender caught him so it was an obvious penalty.
“It was a careless challenge and Arsenal cannot have any complaints.
“There were suggestions Declan Rice handled the ball in the build up, but even if there was contact, it looked to be accidental and accidental handball is not an offence.
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“VAR would not get involved in that situation because it was subjective.”
Arsenal, themselves, were awarded a second half penalty when Michail Antonio was adjudged to have handled in the box.
Again, Coote had no hesitations in pointing to the spot, which was the right decision again, according to Halsey.
“The law is clear, if you’re making yourself bigger and your arms are out and move towards the ball, the referee will give a penalty,” Halsey said.
“We see a lot of those given week in, week out.
“That’s why the handball law is an ass.
“They changed the law to try and simplify it but the new law has made it even more confusing.
“The VAR was never going to overturn that. Both penalty decisions were correct.
“We want to see the on-field referee making decisions. We don’t want referees not getting involved and waiting for VAR to help.
“And fair play to David Coote because he made the decisions himself yesterday.”
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Unfortunately for Arsenal, Bukayo Saka missed his penalty – that could have put Mikel Arteta’s title-challenging side in a commanding 3-1 lead.
Instead, just moments later, they were pegged back to 2-2 when Jarrod Bowen squeezed an effort into the corner to dent Arsenal’s title hopes.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
