Online Reporter
LONDON. − Jarred Gillett was involved in PGMOL protocol being broken in Arsenal’s 2-1 win at Newcastle on Sunday.
But it was not the referee’s fault and, maybe, it was the way forward in terms of officials giving a bit more detail following their decisions.
Some alert Arsenal fans may have heard a conversation over the stadium PA between Gillett and Bukayo Saka at St James’ Park as the ref’s microphone was accidentally left on.
This private conversation should NEVER have been heard by the crowd or TV viewers.
Arsenal fans were livid after Gillett, having awarded a penalty after Viktor Gyokeres collided with keeper Nick Pope, was called over to the screen by VAR.
After much deliberation − and the decision did take too long − Gillett decided not to give Arsenal the penalty because it was deemed that Pope made contact with the ball first, despite clearly taking out Gyokeres.
Announcing his decision to the home crowd, Gillett said: “After review, the Newcastle goalkeeper plays the ball and there is no foul. The final decision is a drop ball.”
Yet Gillett could then be heard talking to Saka. He said: “Before there is any contact, the goalkeeper gets a toe on the ball, that’s why.”
For many, this extra bit of info would have been helpful as Gillett was clarifying the decision.
Yet many Arsenal supporters will have still been annoyed that Gillett − yet again − was being involved with one of their games. − The Sun
Bongani Ndlovu