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      Arsenal fans in meltdown over ‘reports VAR made wrong call on Stones offside’ with alternative angle causing confusion

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      ARSENAL fans were up in arms at claims of reports VAR made the incorrect decision to award John Stones’ goal in their 4-1 defeat to Manchester City.US broadcaster NBC made the claim during their coverage of the match without explaining where the reports were from.
      Arsenal fans claimed this angle of the incident showed John Stones was offside
      But official replays show VAR made the correct call
      Stones’ header gave Manchester City a 2-0 leadCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Stones gave his side a 2-0 lead with a brilliant header on the stroke of half-time.
      The goal was initially ruled out for offside but following a lengthy VAR check the decision was overturned due to Ben White’s foot playing Stones onside.
      However some fans are convinced the wrong call was made – which was fuelled by the claim on NBC.
      Another angle of the incident also emerged which appeared to show Stones was offside.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      One fan reacted by saying: “This looks proper dodgy to me.”
      Another added: “What a joke.”
      A third said: “Why does this keep happening?”
      And another commented: “They absolutely got it wrong. God knows how, but they did. Lucky for them it was a comfortable win for City.”
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      Despite fan’s theories of wrongdoing, the PGMOL have confirmed the correct decision was made.
      In addition, NBC Sports are understood to have later clarified the alternative angle arguing otherwise was wrong.

      Some fans are also unhappy Jack Grealish was only booked for an altercation with Thomas Partey where he grabbed the Arsenal star by his shirt collar.
      Manchester United star Casemiro was sent off for a similar incident against Crystal Palace earlier this season.
      Arsenal defender White and City’s Phil Foden also clashed at the final whistle with the latter pushing his England team-mate. More

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      Constantine Hatzidakis to return to action for first time after ‘elbowing’ Andy Robertson for crunch Man Utd clash

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      PREMIER LEAGUE official Constantine Hatzidakis is set to return to action following his encounter with Andy Robertson.Hatzidakis had been suspended pending an investigation after his alleged elbow against Robertson in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on April 9.
      Andy Robertson was caught after Constantine Hatzidakis threw his elbow backCredit: Enterprise
      The incident occurred in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at AnfieldCredit: Enterprise
      Hatzidakis will now return to his Prem duties this weekCredit: EPA
      But the FA announced earlier this month they would be taking no further action against Hatzidakis.
      They said: “We have thoroughly reviewed all of the evidence in relation to the recent incident at Anfield involving the Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson and match official Constantine Hatzidakis, and we will be taking no further action.
      “Our comprehensive process involved reviewing detailed statements from Liverpool and PGMOL, as well as multiple angles of video footage, in relation to both the incident and its surrounding circumstances.”
      Hatzidakis also released a statement of his own revealing he had directly spoken to Robertson to apologise about the incident.
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      He said: “I have discussed the matter directly with Andy Robertson during an open & positive conversation.
      “It was not my intention to make any contact with Andy as I pulled my arm away from him and for that I have apologised.”
      Following the conclusion of the investigation, Hatzidakis is now set to return to his Prem duties this weekend.
      Hatzidakis will be an assistant ref during Manchester United’s crunch clash with Aston Villa on Sunday.
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      But before that, the 38-year-old will also be helping out on VAR for tonight’s relegation six-pointer between Leeds and Leicester.
      During his absence from England’s top flight, Hatzidakis officiated a Championship match between Preston and Blackburn. More

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      Seething Steve Cooper demands ANOTHER apology from refs’ chiefs as Forest boss slams VAR over Harry Maguire handball

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      FUMING Steve Cooper slammed VAR for not awarding Nottingham Forest a penalty against Man Utd, insisting refs’ chief Howard Webb will “have to apologise again.”The under-fire Forest boss was angry video official Andy Madley did not intervene after ref Simon Hooper turned down Forest appeals for handball against United defender Harry Maguire.
      Steve Cooper has blasted VAR’s decision not to penalise a Harry Maguire handballCredit: AFP
      United went on to win the match 2-0Credit: Sky Sports
      Forest lost the match 2-0 after goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot.
      And Cooper declared: “It’s a really bad error.
      “One from the referee on the pitch, but for VAR not to give it, they apologised last week and are going to have to apologise again tomorrow, which means absolutely nothing.
      “It is happening too many times.
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      “I am not going to say it is the absolute reason why we lost but it is a definite penalty and possibly a second yellow card for Maguire. It could have been a game-changer.
      “These errors should not be happening.
      “I am struggling to get my head around it, especially the VAR.
      “We are having a tough time with the refereeing department and, unfortunately, we have been on the wrong end.
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      “I have spoken to the referee, but he hasn’t seen it again because they’re not allowed to see it.
      “It was all respectful, I just told him nicely what I thought about it.”
      However, former top Prem ref Mark Halsey backed the officials and said: “That was not worthy of a penalty. It was not clear it was deliberate handball.
      “I am sure Steve Cooper would not be happy if that was given against him.”
      The defeat extended Cooper’s winless run to 10 games and leaves Forest 18th on goal difference. More

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      Ex-Premier League referee Mark Halsey reveals why West Ham penalty against Arsenal should NOT have been overturned

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      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.
      Mark Halsey has praised David Coote for his decisions in the West Ham vs Arsenal gameCredit: PA
      West Ham were offered a route back into the game when Lucas Paqueta was fouled in the boxCredit: EPA
      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.
      Read more Arsenal news
      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.”
      Read More on The Sun
      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. More

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      Brighton fume again as VAR refuses to give them another penalty at Chelsea after Christian Pulisic handball

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      BRIGHTON were left fuming after ANOTHER refereeing decision went against them. The Seagulls were adamant they should have been awarded a penalty when the ball struck the arm of Christian Pulisic during their match against Chelsea.
      Brighton were denied a penalty after a Christian Pulisic handballCredit: Rex
      It comes after Brighton were handed an apology by PGMOL for a wrong decision against Tottenham
      However, referee Robert Jones waved play on, while VAR official Chris Kavanagh deemed it not to be a penalty.
      Fuming Brighton fans took to Twitter to voice their frustration.
      One said: “That’s not a handball on Pulisic? He smacked the ball.”
      A second typed: “Blatant handball by Pulisic inside the Chelsea box.”
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      A third commented: “How is that not a handball on Pulisic, is VAR not working?”
      “Pulisic blatant handball lmao and VAR haven’t given it 😂😂😂😂,” remarked a fourth.
      A fifth added: “That Pulisic handball was as clear as we’ve seen.”
      While another declared: “The FA doesn’t want Brighton to reach UCL loool, that was a blatant handball by Pulisic.”
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      Fortunately for Brighton, it made little difference as they came from behind to win 2-1 thanks to goals from super subs Danny Welbeck and Julio Enciso.
      The controversy involving Brighton comes after they were given an apology by ref body PGMOL.
      It came following a mistake by VAR when they decided not to award a penalty when Karou Mitoma was brought down in the area by Pierre Emile Hojbjerg. More

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      West Ham fans slam ‘absolute b*****s’ decision to rule out Aguerd goal for handball after keeper howler and VAR check

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      WEST HAM fans were raging that a Nayef Aguerd goal was ruled out against Gent after a goalkeeping howler. The Hammers are in Belgian for the first-leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final tonight.
      West Ham’s Aguerd thought he had given the Hammers the lead after a keeper howlerCredit: BT Sport
      Fans were fuming when it was disallowed by VAR for handballCredit: Getty
      After a fairly even opening, David Moyes’ side looked to have been handed the lead moments before the break.
      Gent ‘keeper Davy Roef literally gifted them a goal from a corner.
      The set-piece was swung in from the right straight towards the stopper and his outstretched arms.
      But the easy catch was fumbled, with Roef dropping the ball onto the nearby Aguerd, then rebounding back off him and across the line.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      The embarrassed looking West Ham defender knew little about it as his team-mates celebrated with him.
      However, VAR soon intervened and they determined that the goal would be ruled out as the ball had been spilled onto his hand – and it left supporters raging.
      One tweeted: “That’s b*****ks….he didn’t score with his hand, keeper had the last touch?”
      Another agreed, saying it was “absolute b*****ks” while another said it was a “disgrace”.
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      While another said: “They cheated West Ham out that goal. That was not a handball. Just a sorry ass GK mistake.”
      However, that anger soon turned to joy as Danny Ings rifled the Hammers ahead from close-range in the dying seconds of the half.
      But they were pegged back shortly after the restart. More

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      Referee forced to deny explosive claims he arrived for match DRUNK and fought with fans after he is replaced for game

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      A REFEREE denied “fake news” claiming he and three other officials arrived drunk and fought other passengers before officiating a match in Greece.First official Pawel Raczkowski, his assistants Radoslaw Siejka as well as Adam Kupcik and VAR ref Krzysztof Jakubik have categorically denied those reports and stated they were in fact the ones assaulted.
      Referees deny reports claiming they showed up drunk before officiating in GreeceCredit: Reuters
      According to Sport24, the four refs landed in an intoxicated state at Athens International Airport on Saturday, something that was “confirmed” by AEK Athens who were set to face Aris with the Polish refs officiating tonight at OPAP Arena.
      There were also claims the referee didn’t communicate with Greece’s football governing body EPO and “disappeared” after the alleged incident.
      However, Raczkowski immediately slammed those reports and insists he and his associates met with the body’s chief referee and former Premier League official Steve Bennett soon after.
      The Polish referee added that he and his colleagues were actually the ones who were threatened and assaulted by two people claiming to be Panathinaikos fans.
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      He added that he was “spat” at in the face and “pushed” by the alleged assailants until security intervened.
      Raczkowski issued the following statement: “In relation to the news bulletin about the purported situation at Athens International Airport from the 8th of April 2023, I want to categorically deny being intoxicated or exhibiting aggressive behaviour.
      “I was attacked by two Greek speaking Polish men. They identified themselves as Panathinaikos supporters and attacked me first, verbally accusing me of match-fixing, secondly physically by spitting on me an [sic] then pushing me.
      “I reported the situation to airport security who calmed the aggressive individuals down.
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      Referees met with Superleague chief ref Steve Bennett after the incidentCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      “After this I went directly to the hotel where I stayed all night. I deny all fake news about myself and the whole referee team.”
      According to Sport.pl, PZPN Referees Board chairman Tomasz Mikulski backed Raczkowski’s version of events.
      EPO made the decision to replace the four refs with Greek counterparts, led by Aristotelis Diamantopoulos, even though it was decided only international officials would oversee the play-offs.
      That led to a fiery response from Olympiacos, who are owned by Nottingham Forest supremo Evangelos Marinakis.
      The reigning Greek champions described the “made up” incident as a “coup”, a “disgrace” as well as “badly written show” and labelled EPO chiefs as a “gang”. More

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      PGMOL apologise to Brighton for huge Tottenham blunder as they are ‘robbed’ after FIVE controversial decisions

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      THE PGMOL have apologised to Brighton for the third time this season after admitting the match officials and VAR made a mistake in not awarding the Seagulls a penalty against Tottenham.The incident, which was one of five controversial decisions, occurred with the scores level at 1-1 when Kaoru Mitoma was caught by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg inside the area.
      Brighton controversially had two goals ruled out by VAR during their 2-1 defeat to TottenhamCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      It is the third time this season that the PGMOL have apologised to BrightonCredit: Premier League
      Referee Stuart Atwell waved away the Brighton appeals for a penalty and it was quickly looked at by VAR official Michael Salisbury at Stockley Park.
      Referee chief Howard Webb has since been in contact with Brighton and said they should have been awarded a penalty for following the tackle by Hojbjerg on Mitoma.
      The incident was just one of three penalty appeals Roberto De Zerbi’s side had, none of which were awarded in what was a feisty game with both managers sent off following a touchline bust up.
      Brighton were furious with the decision making during the match and demanded an explanation from the PGMOL.
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      De Zerbi’s men had two goals controversially ruled out by VAR with Mitoma penalised for a handball, which on second viewing looks like it hit his shoulder.
      The visitors were then further enraged as Danny Welbeck’s second half strike was ruled out for a handball by Alexis Mac Allister in the build up.
      Clement Lenglet wasn’t punished for what appears to be a handballCredit: bbc match of the day
      Lewis Dunk clearly had his shirt pulled in the box but again no penalty was givenCredit: match of the day
      Alexis Mac Allister was judged to have handled the ball in the build up to Danny Welbeck’s goalCredit: bbc match of the day
      Replays appeared to show the ball may have hit his hip though.
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      Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton branded the penalty incident and the first handball decision as “horrendous.”
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      He said: “Brighton have been robbed this afternoon.
      “At least two horrendous decisions go against Mitoma. [Referees’ chief] Howard Webb will be apologising to them once again, of that I’m sure! Truly awful.”
      Former midfielder Danny Murphy was also critical of the officials.
      Speaking on Match Of The Day he said: “It is beyond belief that those two decisions weren’t given.
      “It is hard to find any logical reason why.
      “As far as I’m concerned it’s just complete incompetence.
      “I feel for (referees chief) Howard Webb to a degree.”
      Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s record scorer, also slammed the officiating.
      Also speaking on Match Of The Day he said: “It should be a clear penalty. De Zerbi I’m sure will be getting an apology at some time in the next 48 hours to say, ‘Sorry, we got that one wrong’.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It’s not good enough, it’s not acceptable.”
      It could prove a costly defeat for Brighton as they drop down to seventh, 10 points off Manchester United in fourth. More