Sky Sports has responded to allegations that PGMOL chief Howard Webb influenced the decision to red-card William Saliba during Arsenal’s loss to Bournemouth.
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Saliba received a red card at the Vitality Stadium after he collided with Evanilson, bringing down the Bournemouth forward as he attempted to break through on goal.
Initially, referee Robert Jones issued Saliba a yellow card, but after being advised by the Video Assistant Referee to review the play at the pitchside monitor, he changed the yellow to a red.. Continue Reading
Arsenal expressed frustration over the ruling, especially since it occurred within the first half-hour and just inside their territory. However, both former player Theo Walcott and ex-England midfielder Jamie Redknapp argued that a red card was warranted.
Numerous Arsenal supporters questioned whether Webb had a hand in the decision, noting that the referee chief was observed texting and speaking on his phone while VAR reviewed the incident.
Even Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher and sports presenter Richard Keys raised doubts about Webb’s potential involvement in the sending off.
‘Was Howard Webb involved in the decision making of the red card of Saliba?’ Carragher asked in a now-deleted social media post.
Keys, meanwhile, said: ‘Who was Howard Webb texting? And why?’
After Bournemouth’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal, Sky Sports presenter David Jones clarified the situation, saying Webb was listening to the officials communicate but had ‘no input’ into the decision.
‘What we understand is he’s listening to a match feed of the VAR officials and their communication with the on-field officials, just as we do as broadcasters,’ Jones said.
‘He has no input, no ability to talk to the officials. Just to clear that up for you.’
Sky Sports pundit Redknapp, meanwhile, said: ‘Howard Webb is not trying to communicate with the officials from the stands.
‘He’s watching the game. Anyone who thinks that, to have the audacity, or ego, to think “I am going to influence the game”, we’re talking nonsense now to even question that.
‘He is at the game and listening to the audio. But he can’t turn round to the referee. We’ve got VAR and everyone there looking at it why would he even dream to get involved?’
On Saliba’s red card, Redknapp added: ‘There’s absolutely no doubt if he had no put his arms on him, he [William Saliba] would have got there first.
‘He is one of the quickest players, one of the quickest defenders. He would have at least had enough pace to get help.
‘Your natural inclination is to panic, grab him and he’s thinking “what have I done?” Then Gabriel went to the referee and there’s a few guilty signs.
‘It’s definitely a foul. Ben White you could argue, can he get back in time, but my guess is no. It was definitely denying a goalscoring opportunity.’
