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      ‘The ref made a mistake’ – Virgil van Dijk furious at Bergvall’s winner moments after Spurs star should have seen red

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      VIRGIL VAN DIJK raged Lucas Bergvall should have been sent off — moments before the Swedish teen hit Tottenham’s winner.That came after team-mate Rodrigo Bentancur was carried off on a stretcher in a neck brace and head strap after a heavy fall in this Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.Lucas Bergvall escaped a second booking for this foul on Kostas TsimikasCredit: RexTsimikas needed treatment off the pitch following the lungeVirgil van Dijk reckons it’s ‘obvious’ Bergvall deserved to be sent offBergvall struck the only goal  in the 86th minute but just before he escaped a second  yellow despite taking out Kostas Tsimikas  — with ref Stuart Attwell playing advantage and deciding not to go back to book the 18-year-old.Tsimikas was then off the pitch waiting to come back on as Bergvall put Spurs ahead.Liverpool captain Van Dijk was seen arguing with whistler Attwell at full-time, insisting “It’s a yellow!”The Dutchman, 33, later seethed: “It was quite obvious was going to be a second yellow, it was pretty clear.Most read in Football“Then a minute later he scores the winner.“The ref made a mistake and I told him that. It was quite obvious and everyone on the sideline knew it was a yellow.“He should have been off. There is a linesman, fourth official, VAR and referee and he doesn’t get a second yellow.“I’m not saying it is the reason why we lost but it was a big moment.”Most read in FootballArne Slot gave the fourth official his verdict on Bergvall staying onFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSReds boss Arne Slot and his coaching staff were left raging after Bergvall’s goal on the touchline.Slot’s assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff was booked for his complaints.Ange Postecoglou falls to his knees in despair after Pedro Porro fails to convert golden chance against LiverpoolThe game was the first in English men’s football history to have VAR decisions announced to the fans in the stadium.Attwell could be heard on the loudspeaker explaining Dominic Solanke’s 78th-minute goal had been ruled offside.Slot, whose side failed to score for only the second game this season, added: “It would be more interesting if he explained why he didn’t give a second yellow card than why he cancelled the goal.“But I know that’s not the rule.”Spurs chief Ange Postecoglou added: “I can see why Arne would be very disappointed but apparently they’re the rules.“He wasn’t lucky to be on the pitch. If the advantage gets played and it’s not a cynical tackle, then it’s not a yellow.“We’ve been screaming for it in the last two months and that’s what we’ve been told.”Bergvall’s strike came 80 minutes after team-mate Bentancur fell to the turf in worrying scenes when going up for a challenge unchallenged.He appeared to be knocked out, with Pedro Porro seeming to put his finger in his stricken pal’s mouth to ensure he had not swallowed his tongue.After six minutes of treatment, Bentancur was stretchered off in a neck brace and head brace.He received oxygen as he left the field — but was later conscious, talking and sent for hospital for further checks.Postecoglou added: “It was some sort of head injury, but he was conscious when he was coming off the field.“He’s been taken to the hospital for observation. Hopefully he’ll be OK.”READ MORE SUN STORIESSpurs keeper Antonin Kinsky hugged his sister after keeping a debut clean sheet following this week’s £12.5million switch from Slavia Prague just days ago.The Czech, 21, said: “I’m a big dreamer but I never dreamt this one.” More

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      ‘Genuinely what’s the point of VAR?’ – Fans fume as ‘unbelievable’ audio reveals why ref changed mind on Duran red card

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      FOOTBALL fans have been left scratching their heads once again after the audio was released for the VAR decision to send off Jhon Duran against Newcastle.Duran was dismissed during the Magpies’ 3-0 win over Villa on Boxing Day following an incident that saw his studs scrape up the back of Fabian Schar.Jhon Duran was sent off against Newcastle on boxing dayCredit: ReutersDuran was deemed to have deliberately stood on Fabian Schar’s backCredit: GettyDuran was left fuming with the decisionCredit: GettyThe officials’ audio of the incident has now been releasedCredit: Sky SportsThe Villa striker was deemed to have deliberately stood on Schar’s back and was shown a straight red card by referee Anthony Taylor at the time.But the decision left Villa manager Unai Emery seething, he said: “Three matches for this red card is hard to accept. There was no action with the intention to kick him.”.Aston Villa later had an appeal against the decision rejected, meaning Duran’s three-game ban remained in place.And the reasons behind the decision not being overturned have now been revealed on ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’ after the audio from the incident was shown.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFollowing Duran’s fall to the ground, both the fourth official and assistant referee appear to tell Anthony Taylor that they believe it was accidental.Fourth official Leigh Doughty can be heard saying: “It looks accidental from here”. While one of the assistant refs claims the incident is “reckless” and not dangerous, suggesting Duran should be cautioned and not sent off.He said: “So Duran steps on the back. For me, it’s a reckless act rather than anything more. He’s sort of trying to stop and then lands in the wrong place. So Duran, caution.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHowever, Anthony Taylor makes his own decision instead of taking the advice of his colleagues, citing Fabian Schar “holding somewhere else” on his body as the reason to show red. Taylor can he heard saying: “Hang on, he [Schar] is holding somewhere else here [on his body]. I’m going red card”.Aston Villa hothead Jhon Duran rages as he’s subbed moments after scoring and kicks back of team-mate’s chair Fans have been left confused and frustrated that Taylor seemed to change his decision based on where Schar had been stamped on.On social media, one fan wrote: “That Duran red card audio is UNBELIEVABLE, genuinely what’s the point of VAR?? Tedious.”While another added: “Something is so wrong with this system”.A third fumed: “Absolutely shocking”.And a fourth posted: “Decides to send him off because of where Schar is holding. Laughable”.PGMOL chief Howard Webb was on hand during ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’ to explain why the decision didn’t change and why Villa’s appeal wasn’t overturned.The retired referee explained that Taylor had the best view of the incident and so was best placed to make the decision on it being a red card, going on to add that there wasn’t enough evidence to prove his decision was incorrect to overturn it.He said: “You can hear on the comms a range of opinions. The fourth official makes a comment based on what he’s seen, the assistant referee suggests it might be a yellow card. “But the best placed match official by a long way is the referee, who is right behind the situation.”Adding:”It’s always hard to read players’ minds, you have to judge the actions that we see, the physical evidence to make our judgements. READ MORE SUN STORIES”And in this situation, the referee saw the action, felt it was a red card offence.”And the VAR saw the movement of that leg onto the back of Schar and didn’t feel that the on-field referee’s call was obviously wrong – he probably agreed with it – and it stayed as an on-field call as a red card.”Howard Webb has explained why the decision stood More

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      Michael Owen argues back as Howard Webb reveals VAR took SEVEN SECONDS to decide Brighton penalty vs Arsenal

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      VAR took just seven seconds to check Brighton’s controversial penalty against Arsenal.The Gunners dropped two points in the title race at the Amex last weekend after William Saliba was deemed to have made head contact with Joao Pedro when going for a header in the box.Howard Webb explained why Brighton were awarded a penaltyWilliam Saliba made contact on Joao Pedro using his headBoss Mikel Arteta was seething at full time, revealing he had never seen anything like that in his entire career and claimed the VAR official Darren England took just seconds to confirm Anthony Taylor’s decision.And the Spaniard was proven right, but PGMOL chief Howard Webb insists ref Taylor made the right call, despite replays showing Saliba’s head glancing the ball.In the released transcript, England can be heard saying during his check: “Clear. Clear penalty. Head on head.”And Webb explaned: “It’s unusual. Saliba doesn’t head it. Saliba has the ball flicked onto his head and then he goes into the head of Pedro. He gets there late on Pedro, who goes down.READ MORE ON ARSENAL“It’s a late contact by someone who hasn’t played the ball himself. The ball has touched him, but he’s not played it.“When you break it down in that way, it’s a foul.”If he heads the ball first at that loose ball and there’s a collision, I have no issue with that and then there’s a collision. That’s not what happened.”Discussing the incident with Webb, Michael Owen pushed back on TV show Match Officials Mic’d Up.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “If he touches the ball it has to make a difference. If he doesn’t touch the ball it’s definitely a penalty.”He gets a fair chunk of the ball.”Arsenal Invincible and cult hero reveals we’ve all been saying his name wrong for nearly 45 yearsArsenal skipper Martin Odegaard said: “None of us have seen many penalties given for situations like that before.“There is a small contact on the head there, but William touches the ball too, so it’s a weird one.” More

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      Man Utd fans demand PGMOL explanation as Ait-Nouri handball NOT given barely 24 hours after De Ligt penalty decision

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      MAN UTD fans have demanded an explanation from the PGMOL after Nottingham Forest were denied a penalty against Wolves.Ola Aina’s cross hit Molineux left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri’s arm in the box just 24 hours after Matthijs de Ligt was penalised on Sunday.Ola Aina’s cross hit Rayan Ait-Nouri’s arm in the boxRef Peter Bankes waved on before VAR confirmed his decisionIt came just 24 hours after Matthijs de Ligt conceded a penalty against Liverpool for an outstretched armForest went into the break 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood.But the scoreline could have been even greater had Nuno Espirito Santo’s side been awarded a penalty for a handball by Ait-Nouri.The Algeria international’s arm appeared to be outstretched in the area as the ball struck it in the 33rd minute.It looks as though the 23-year-old attempted to pull it back in at the same time.READ MORE ON MAN UTDVAR decided not to send referee Peter Bankes to the monitor and no penalty was awarded.The Premier League Match Centre posted on X: “The referee’s call was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed his arm was in a natural position.”Yet a penalty decision in United’s 2-2 draw at Anfield caused an equal amount of controversy as Liverpool were awarded a spot-kick after the ball bounced off De Ligt’s arm in the 68th minute.The incident was missed by ref Michael Oliver in real-time but he later overturned his decision after being sent to the monitor by VAR Chris Kavanagh.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAndre Onana dived left and almost stopped Mohamed Salah’s spot-kick but the Egyptian’s effort had too much power.The PGMOL reviewed the two incidents differently despite Cody Gakpo being mere metres away from De Ligt, who blocked his Dutch team-mate’s header from travelling towards Onana.The match centre posted on X on Sunday: “VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible handball by De Ligt, deeming that his arm was raised in an unnatural position.”But United fans have pointed to the similarities between the two incidents as both players had their arms extended.Youtuber Mark Goldbridge led the charge with: “Can the PGMOL explain why De Ligt’s handball is a penalty yesterday but Ait-Nouri’s handball isn’t one? De Ligt was far closer to the ball!”Another fan wrote: “What is the difference between the Wolves one and De Ligt one yesterday?”While beloved footie presenter Jeff Stelling had an even stronger assessment.The former Sky Sports Soccer Saturday host wrote: “One of the worst decisions I have seen all season!”A fourth said: “How on earth has VAR ruled out that Ait Nouri handball??”One more fumed: “Where is the consistency? None of us even understand the handball rule anymore 😡.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe decision on Monday didn’t affect Forest too much as Wood doubled their lead 11 minutes later.Nuno went on to beat his former side 3-0 to go level with Arsenal in second, who are also six points behind Prem leaders Liverpool.Man Utd player ratings vs Liverpool By Gary Stonehouse Andre Onana – 7Saved well from Alexis Mac Allister early on and looked strong on set-pieces – could do nothing about either goal and almost stopped Mo Salah’s penalty.Another two saves right at the death helped his men earn a point.Noussair Mazraoui – 7Strong performance to help frustrate Liverpool and produced important interceptions and tackles to clear danger.Matthijs de Ligt – 7The Dutchman was another impressive member of the back three and seemed on a mission not to leave Anfield without a share of the spoils.Harry Maguire – 7Marshalled the defence well and won several big tackles and clearances.Had his day spoiled by a yellow card for what looked to a be another great challenge and then blazed over right at the death.Lisandro Martinez – 7Excellent alongside the rest of the back three and finished his strike like a seasoned striker.Diogo Dalot – 7Played on the front foot and was an attacking threat throughout but landed himself a booking for a needless and blatant foul on Mo Salah.Kobbie Mainoo – 7Great defensive and compact display as he got the better of his England rival Curtis Jones in front of Thomas Tuchel.Was only taken off after United fell behind as his manager went more offensive. Manuel Ugarte – 6Just got caught out of position and was punished for Cody Gakpo’s goal, which marred an otherwise hard-fought and disciplined display.Amad Diallo – 7Turning into a man capable of producing big moments after another crucial strike. Had messed up twice in two earlier attacks but took his goal superbly.Bruno Fernandes – 8The skipper was on top form for the Red Devils both defensively and with the ball. Led his team well and fully deserved at least a point.Rasmus Hojlund – 5Came underfire for slack marking from Fernandes early doors then blew a big chance after beating the offside trap – a chance you NEED to take at Anfield.Struggled to make much of an impact with the ball. More

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      Conspiracy theory or anti-Arsenal agenda? Fuming fan details 22 dodgy decisions as he claims Gunners should be TOP

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      NEW Year’s Day 2022 and it’s my then-eight-year-old son’s first trip to The Arsenal.A Red Letter day in the Hamilton household and one we will always remember.Arsenal have been on the end of a number of controversial decisions in recent seasons – including the one to award Brighton a penalty for thisCredit: ReutersMikel Arteta has been left furious by some of the decisions which have gone against his sideCredit: EPAHenry is excited but I start the journey with some trepidation, as we are facing table-topping Man City.Avoiding my usual pre-match ritual of a trip to the pub, we instead take some pictures of murals – Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe – visit the club shop and enjoy some overpriced pizza and Prime.We take our seats in the front row of the North Bank upper tier, where we have an unimpeded view of the pitch – and I remind Henry how formidable City are in a bid to temper his expectations.But as the game gets underway, Arsenal are fizzing the ball around, the crowd starts to believe and we all begin to ‘trust the process’ implemented by our then-relatively-new manager, Mikel Arteta. READ MORE SPORT STORIESSaka – who we’d seen earlier adorning a wall near the ground – sweeps us into a first-half lead, Gabriel Martinelli is electric and an energetic and inventive Martin Odegaard is the choirmaster.The atmosphere is crackling, even in the posh seats, and Henry turns to me to say: “Arsenal are doing so well.”But half-time comes along, the officials intervene and City turn the tide in the second half.They are given a totally unmerited penalty, Martinelli hits the bar and every decision seems to go against us.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAt one point, I think City midfielder Bernardo Silva is reffing the game, not Stuart Attwell.The crowd turns on Attwell and the North Bank upper (and lower) suggest he is not fit to referee.Arsenal fans admit ‘man crush’ over Riccardo Calafiori after slow-motion video of Gunners heartthrob giving interview “How much are they paying you?”, the bellowing Gooners inquire and I am proud to glance around to see Henry joining in.Then Gabriel Jesus – who I have still not fully forgiven – goes to the ground easily under the outstretched leg of his Brazilian namesake in City’s half.Attwell buys it and sends off the Arsenal centre-back, Gabriel, who had already been booked.Arsenal have a clear penalty shout dismissed after a lengthy VAR check. How they have given City’s but not Arsenal’s we cannot understand.Rodri scores an injury-time winner and Arsenal are robbed.We leave the ground disconsolate.Fast forward three years and a few days and Arsenal travel to Brighton in the televised 5.30pm kick off on Saturday January 4.As the team sheets are displayed on-screen, one name leaps out at me. Anthony Taylor.The same ref whose officiating had effectively allowed Virgil van Dijk to assault Kai Havertz at the Emirates earlier in the season. Taylor then ruled out what looked to many a legitimate goal that would have given Arsenal a 3-2 win against Liverpool in the dying moments.I take to a family WhatsApp group and point out that we are “in trouble” with him officiating.But despite Taylor’s management of the game effectively allowing Estupinan to foul Nwaneri then kick the ball away, stopping the free-kick being taken; permitting a Brighton player to assault Merino (with the referee admonishing the Arsenal bench for daring to rise to its feet); and then booking Nwaneri for taking ‘too long’ to take a corner, Arsenal lead.Nwaneri is taken off at the interval having been roughed up, as happens to Saka – for whom he is deputising – every game.And then it happens.The most ‘bizarre’ and incomprehensible penalty I have seen given against us in more than 40 years of watching The Gunners.Taylor spots a foul by Saliba on Pedro, who looks like he has taken lessons from Tom Daley with his reaction.Saliba has actually headed the ball and there is minimal contact when the ball has already been cleared.Nevertheless Taylor blows, VAR ‘confirms’ it in three seconds and Brighton score.In the same game, both Trossard and Gabriel are brought down in the Brighton box.Taylor responds to both incidents with the ‘coming together/acceptable contact’ hand gesture. Arteta says he “has never seen anything like it”.And in between these games?Well Arsenal have constantly broken new ground.The only team that I remember to have a player sent off (Martinelli at Wolves) for two yellows in the same passage of play – the equivalent of getting two speeding tickets 30 yards apart in the same street.The ridiculous spectacle of Newcastle being allowed to score a winner against Arsenal from a move in which the ball looked clearly out of play and there looked to have been both a foul and an offside before Anthony Gordon turned the ball home.The sight of Tomiyasu being sent off, after being booked for taking a throw-in too slowly, and brushing past a Palace player at Selhurst Park.Kane (who has thankfully left) and Son going down easily and getting penalties in almost every North London derby.A 1-1 draw with Brentford when VAR ‘forgot to draw’ the lines to check the Bees’ offside goal.A last-gasp ‘equaliser’ at Villa Park ruled out for no reason last season.Declan Rice was sent off after being booted from behind by Joel VeltmanCredit: TNT SportsWilliam Saliba was controversially sent off for a tangle with Bournemouth’s EvanilsonCredit: RexMichael Oliver deciding not to send off Kovacic for what appeared to be a blatant foul right in front of him when he was on a yellow for Man City at the Emirates.Refs’ boss Howard Webb then came out to explain that Oliver did not want to “ruin the flow of the game”.The same ref, Oliver, then sent off Trossard, on a yellow, for kicking a ball away a split-second after he had blown his whistle when Arsenal played at City this season.Trossard was breaking up an attack and may well not have heard the whistle in a packed stadium.What happened to the flow of the game? It was ruined.Ten-man Arsenal resorted to trying to defend their goal like the Alamo.And, of course, Arsenal were the first – and only – team to have a player (now two) sent off for supposedly delaying a free-kick.The Brighton kick was deep in Arsenal’s half, and Rice was walking back when the ball was kicked at him.He flicked it away about two metres before Veltman felled him with a kick that would not have been out of place in a Muay Thai gym.Any rational person watching the incident would have expected Veltman to be sent off.But, no – it was Rice.Chris Kavanagh was seen mouthing to Rice that he had “left me no choice”.Arsenal have been denied goals and seen goals go in at their expense in controversial circumstances, including this Newcastle goalCredit: GettyArsenal fans belive this ball went out of play before another Newcastle goal against the GunnersCredit: Sky SportsYet the same ref was sent to the monitor by VAR after Man City scored a controversial late winner at Wolves just weeks later.Bernardo Silva looked to all the world to be blocking the Wolves keeper as Stones scored. Kavanagh studied the monitor and awarded the goal.Weeks after the Trossard sending-off at City, Arsenal travelled to Bournemouth.The Gunners weren’t playing well but it was 0-0 as Saliba pulled back the breaking Evanilson just outside the centre circle.Evanilson did not have the ball under control, keeper Raya was advancing and right-back Ben White was covering.Ref Rob Jones was yards away with a clear view – and correctly, in my opinion, awarded a yellow.But VAR intervened and Jarred Gillett suggested it be upgraded to a red.Was it an incident the ref had not seen? Clearly not.Was it a ‘clear and obvious’ error? Clearly not.Was it open to interpretation, and a situation where the on-field decision is usually respected? Clearly yes.As pundits – including Gary Lineker – agreed at the weekend that Taylor ‘got it wrong’ at Brighton, a video was circulating online showing unpunished fouls on Arsenal players.They include the Veltman attack on Rice, an Everton player stamping on Takehiro Tomiyasu and a Wolves player strangling Kai Havertz.Arsenal player ratings: Ethan Nwaneri is perfect Bukayo Saka replacement but Gabriel Jesus goes missing against BrightonETHAN NWANERI was the brightest spark on the pitch as Arsenal lost further ground int he title race.SunSport’s Isabelle Barker has given her ratings for the Arsenal players…DAVID RAYA – 6The Spanish stopper didn’t have too much to deal with apart from Joao Pedro’s penalty which he went the wrong way for. He couldn’t have done too much about it though, it was a classy finish into the other corner.THOMAS PARTEY – 6Partey was ok to start with at right-back but the experiment still looked unconvincing in the second-half, with him struggling to handle Kaoru Mitoma when the Japanese international came on.WILLIAM SALIBA – 6The French centre-back was solid up until conceding the crucial penalty for dangerous play against Pedro in the box. If it had been a headbutt, Saliba would have been sent off, in fairness it looked as though he was going for the ball, and it was an unfortunate clash of heads.GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5Started off solidly at the back but faded out with little answers for Brighton’s pressure towards the end.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 7Calafiori was superb, particularly in the first half against Brighton, with the stats speaking for themselves. He won the most duels, completed the most take ons and most tackles. He also misplaced just one of his 22 passes.JORGINHO – 6The ex-Chelsea man struggled to receive the ball under pressure, nearly costing Arsenal a goal for the hosts. Generally looked too slow for the game this evening.MIKEL MERINO – 7The Spanish midfielder linked up beautifully with Rice for the opener, producing a lovely pass over the top for Nwaneri to latch onto. Merino faded out towards the end though, looking more sluggish and ponderous on the ball as the minutes went by.DECLAN RICE – 7The midfielder was the furthest forward, pressing the Brighton backline with Jesus and it worked at first.He took on the Odegaard role when Arsenal didn’t have possession. Was involved with first big chance with Jesus and then pulled the strings for Nwaneri’s opener.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6The Brighton faithful were booing Trossard from the get go but he didn’t show up to silence them. The Belgian winger offered very little going forward.ETHAN NWANERI – 8So good from Nwaneri for the opener. He was involved in the build up with Rice and Merino then put on the afterburners to produce a charging run before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.What a good replacement Nwaneri has been for Bukayo Saka. He fits the bill with pace, body shape, and a lovely left foot.GABRIEL JESUS – 5The striker lashed a shot at Verbruggen for an early warning, but he was offside anyway, wasting the delicious through ball from Jorginho. Was virtually anonymous by the end and Arsenal won’t be able to win the league with a striker like that.SubstitutesMARTIN ODEGAARD – 6GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes is shown appearing to elbow Declan Rice in the back of the head, while Van Dijk kicking out twice at Havertz also makes the cut.Saka also appears to be kicked up in the air two yards from the ref against Crystal Palace.On the Guimaraes elbow – apparently not seen by VAR – Man Utd legend Gary Neville, who is not known for his love of Arsenal, calls it “not good” and a “deliberate elbow”.The commentator remarks that Saka was unable to carry on after being assaulted.An Arsenal fan page compiled it, you might think.No, it is on Villa Verse, with the poster referring to their Colombian striker Jhon Duran’s harsh sending-off at Newcastle.“Hate to side with Arsenal fans,” the page says.“But it’s mental that none of these were given the same punishment as Duran’s.” My thoughts entirely.Arsenal are not the only ‘wronged’ team. Wolves, particularly under the unlucky Gary O’Neil, and West Ham spring to mind, as do Spurs on Saturday against Newcastle (them again) – but it has been happening on a consistent basis for the last few years.It has cost the Gunners points – by my reckoning at least nine this season – with Liverpool and City also gaining a point each from decisions against us.Referees have always got things wrong, but with VAR to review decisions there is no excuse now – and yet it happens with alarming frequency. And with no repercussions.And which teams appear to benefit the most against Arsenal? Title rivals Man City and Liverpool and Arsenal’s next opponents, Newcastle.READ MORE SUN STORIESMy conclusions, dear reader?It might be time to spend time and energy on sports that are enjoyable and relaxing to watch – like the darts. More

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      Ex-Premier League midfielder given red card but bizarrely allowed to continue playing after discussion with opponents

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      FORMER Everton star Davy Klaassen was remarkably sent off for Ajax before being allowed to PLAY ON.The referee showed Klaassen a straight red with Ajax 2-1 down – but their opponents Stuttgart agreed for the midfielder to continue.Davy Klaassen was remarkably sent off for Ajax before being allowed to play on during a friendlyCredit: GettyKlaassen commits a foul in front of the refereeFormer Everton star Klaasen on the ground as his challenge sparks meleeThe referee brandishes the red card at KlaasenBoth managers are said to have agreed that it would be better to continue playing with 11 players each.Ajax boss Francesco Farioli and Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness could be seen talking after the incident.And the ref concurred before Klaassen walked back into action in unprecedented scenes in their friendly clash.Klaassen had committed a nasty foul in the 56th minute but his subsequent red card was seemingly revoked.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSTheir justification was that both wanted match practice with complete numbers on both sides as the match was a friendly.They reportedly argued that playing with a man down would not be helpful to either side.It ended 2-2 after substitute Chuba Akpom levelled in the 85th minute.Netherlands international Klaassen is in his third spell with Ajax after beginning his career with the Dutch giants.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe 31-year-old spent one season at Everton, where he played just 16 games as he failed to live up to the £24m fee the Toffees paid Ajax.Klaassen endured a difficult season in England, falling out of favour with both Sam Allardyce and Marco Silva after Ronald Koeman was fired in October 2017.Furious Jordan Henderson pulled apart from Ajax team-mate in Europa League clashHe returned in the 2020-23 season before leaving for a year at Inter Milan last term.He then headed back to the Amsterdam outfit last year, who also boast former Liverpool star Jordan Henderson among their ranks.Henderson was subbed off to allow other players minutes before the challenge.Ajax, who sit second in the division behind leaders PSV Eindhoven, are back in Eredivisie action on Saturday against basement side RKC Waalwijk.Klaassen spent one year at Everton in the 2017-18 season More

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      ‘This is RIDICULOUS’ – Ian Wright in meltdown over ‘worst officials in Europe’ after Arsenal’s draw with Brighton

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      IAN WRIGHT fumed that Prem refs are the “worst in Europe” after Brighton were awarded a controversial penalty against Arsenal.William Saliba was judged to have fouled Joao Pedro after he mistimed a header and caught the Seagulls striker.Ian Wright slammed the penalty decisionCredit: ReutersWilliam Saliba was judged to have fouled Joao PedroThe Arsenal defender avoided a red card with VAR sticking by referee Anthony Taylor’s decision.But Wright disagreed with the decision to award a penalty and fumed that it was given.He said on Optus Sport: “I don’t know what to believe anymore. This is ridiculous. We have the worst officials in Europe.”Mikel Arteta was equally as bemused as he made his feelings clear post-match.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe told Sky Sports: “I have never seen something like this in my life.”I am really disappointed. He touches the ball as well!”Fans argued over whether the correct decision was made as the Premier League released a statement on the incident.It read: “The referee’s call of penalty for a foul by Saliba on Pedro was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe decision proved crucial as Pedro converted the penalty to equalise, with the match ending 1-1.The Gunners dropped yet more points in the title race and are now five points behind Liverpool having played two games more.Arsenal Invincible and cult hero reveals we’ve all been saying his name wrong for nearly 45 years More

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      Premier League release statement on Brighton’s penalty against Arsenal after VAR check on William Saliba challenge

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      THE PREMIER LEAGUE have released a statement on the decision to award Brighton a penalty after William Saliba headbutted Joao Pedro.Saliba made contact on the Brighton striker using his head but avoided a red card.William Saliba was judged to have fouled Joao PedroVAR confirmed referee Anthony Taylor’s callCredit: ReutersReferee Anthony Taylor did deem the challenge to be a foul however so awarded the Seagulls a penalty, which Pedro converted.VAR reviewed the incident and confirmed the ref’s decision to award a spot kick.The Premier League match centre have since clarified the incident, confirming the decision made by the ref and VAR.It wrote on X: “The referee’s call of penalty for a foul by Saliba on Pedro was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty.”READ MORE ON ARSENALFans were split on the incident with one Arsenal fan arguing it should have not been a penalty.They wrote: “In what world is this a penalty against Saliba????”A fan hit back, saying: “100 per cent pen. If you go to kick the ball and catch the player late it’s a foul, no different with head! It’s a late foul!”Another added: “Clear penalty!”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd a third wrote: “It’s a clear penalty. You can see clearly the tackle stopped Pedro from advancing forward.”Ethan Nwaneri had put Arsenal in front in the first half but they were unable to find another after Pedro’s equaliser, with the match finishing 1-1.Amazon Prime Video presenter and John Legend give fans ‘second hand embarrassment’ after Arsenal’s win over IpswichArsenal player ratings: Ethan Nwaneri is perfect Bukayo Saka replacement but Gabriel Jesus goes missing against BrightonETHAN NWANERI was the brightest spark on the pitch as Arsenal lost further ground int he title race.SunSport’s Isabelle Barker has given her ratings for the Arsenal players…DAVID RAYA – 6The Spanish stopper didn’t have too much to deal with apart from Joao Pedro’s penalty which he went the wrong way for. He couldn’t have done too much about it though, it was a classy finish into the other corner.THOMAS PARTEY – 6Partey was ok to start with at right-back but the experiment still looked unconvincing in the second-half, with him struggling to handle Kaoru Mitoma when the Japanese international came on.WILLIAM SALIBA – 6The French centre-back was solid up until conceding the crucial penalty for dangerous play against Pedro in the box. If it had been a headbutt, Saliba would have been sent off, in fairness it looked as though he was going for the ball, and it was an unfortunate clash of heads.GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5Started off solidly at the back but faded out with little answers for Brighton’s pressure towards the end.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 7Calafiori was superb, particularly in the first half against Brighton, with the stats speaking for themselves. He won the most duels, completed the most take ons and most tackles. He also misplaced just one of his 22 passes.JORGINHO – 6The ex-Chelsea man struggled to receive the ball under pressure, nearly costing Arsenal a goal for the hosts. Generally looked too slow for the game this evening.MIKEL MERINO – 7The Spanish midfielder linked up beautifully with Rice for the opener, producing a lovely pass over the top for Nwaneri to latch onto. Merino faded out towards the end though, looking more sluggish and ponderous on the ball as the minutes went by.DECLAN RICE – 7The midfielder was the furthest forward, pressing the Brighton backline with Jesus and it worked at first.He took on the Odegaard role when Arsenal didn’t have possession. Was involved with first big chance with Jesus and then pulled the strings for Nwaneri’s opener.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6The Brighton faithful were booing Trossard from the get go but he didn’t show up to silence them. The Belgian winger offered very little going forward.ETHAN NWANERI – 8So good from Nwaneri for the opener. He was involved in the build up with Rice and Merino then put on the afterburners to produce a charging run before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.What a good replacement Nwaneri has been for Bukayo Saka. He fits the bill with pace, body shape, and a lovely left foot.GABRIEL JESUS – 5The striker lashed a shot at Verbruggen for an early warning, but he was offside anyway, wasting the delicious through ball from Jorginho. Was virtually anonymous by the end and Arsenal won’t be able to win the league with a striker like that.SubstitutesMARTIN ODEGAARD – 6GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6 More