FOOTBALL fans were left fuming after Gabriel Martinelli escaped punishment after a mid-air collision with Kaoru Mitoma.
The Arsenal ace did not even pick up a booking after clattering into the Brighton winger with his arm.
Martinelli made contact with Mitoma as the Brighton man headed the ball.
Referee Andy Madley responded by awarding Brighton a free-kick… but nothing more.
And fans on social media were left in disbelief by the lack of punishment for Martinelli.
Part of one tweet fumed: “Not even a yellow for that incredibly dangerous foul by Martinelli.”
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Another claimed: “You’d even get a red card in rugby for what Martinelli just did there.”
A third added: “How on earth is that not a red card for Martinelli?”
And a fourth said: Red card for me and the ref doesn’t even book Martinelli I must be watching a different game.”
Minutes later, Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo wiped out Martinelli with a poor timed tackle from behind.
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Again the referee gave a free-kick but nothing more.
And after the foul, Caicedo and Mitoma slapped hands with each other on the pitch.
Fans on social media were left speculating that the tackle was “revenge” for Martinelli flattening Mitoma.
Gunners winger Martinelli initially played on after being scythed down but was then forced off with an injury on 20 minutes.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
