Arteta discusses Sunderland penalty with Pro Ref after controversy
Mikel Arteta has revealed that Arsenal engaged in discussions with Pro Ref regarding the penalty awarded to Sunderland last weekend. The manager clarified that the aim of the conversation was not to seek an apology, but rather to determine if the decision could have been different.
The debate arose from the penalty given after Dan Ballard was deemed to have been fouled, despite footage showing Ballard pulling Ezri Konsa to the ground.
Arteta expressed his anger over the situation, even though Arsenal ultimately won the match. “I watched it 10 times. It’s a judo roll. It just cannot happen…this should never happen, it’s not fair, and I am sad, very sad, in that sense,” he stated after the game.
Fortunately for Arsenal, the decision did not result in a loss, as David Raya saved the penalty, and Bruno Guimaraes scored shortly after, helping the Champions secure another three points. However, had Sunderland converted the penalty, the challenge of winning would have been significantly greater.
Former referee Mark Halsey also opined that the penalty should not have been awarded. “When you look at an incident, you can clearly see in my opinion, that Ballard committed the first offence,” he remarked. “He’s got hold of Konsa’s arm, so he’s pulled him around and they’ve both ended up on the floor. Then it looks like Konsa has tumbled into Ballard. For me, I think that Ballard has committed the first offence and it’s not a penalty. I know that they’ve set a high bar now in VAR getting involved but I think that was one where they should have got involved because Ballard committed the first offence.”
Ahead of Arsenal’s match against Brighton on Saturday, Arteta was again questioned about refereeing matters. “I am here to try and give my opinion, defend my club and give the very best to my players,” he responded. “In order to do so, I need to respond in the most direct and fair way. I will make mistakes sometimes but I will try and be as fair as possible. We have a space to talk and give our opinions. It’s everybody’s duty to try and improve the game.”
Arteta confirmed that Arsenal had met with Pro Ref, formerly known as PGMOL. “We discuss many topics and all of them are very important,” he said. “To talk, to give their opinions, and [it is] everyone’s duty to try and improve the game. It is a conversation that will remain private.”
When asked if Arsenal had received yet another apology from Pro Ref, Arteta did not confirm this. “It is not about an apology,” he stated. “It is about agreeing that the decision should be different or not.”
Source: Daily Cannon - Arsenal news and gossip