Arsenal are set to contact professional refereeing body Pro Ref over the controversial penalty awarded against them in their Premier League clash with Sunderland on Saturday.
The Gunners are seeking an explanation for the decision that saw Ezri Konsa penalised for excessive holding after a physical tussle with Sunderland defender Dan Ballard inside the Arsenal penalty area.
Referee John Brooks pointed to the spot during the match, while the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) subsequently backed the decision, leaving Arsenal furious over what they believe was a major officiating error.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta did not hide his frustration after the game, insisting the decision was unacceptable at the highest level of the sport.
“This is not acceptable at this level,” Arteta said.
“I watched it 20 times and I cannot find a way to understand how they think to give a penalty in that situation, or the way the VAR has to intervene.”
According to the Premier League Match Centre, the decision was reviewed and upheld by VAR.
“The referee’s call of penalty to Sunderland for a holding offence by Konsa on Ballard was checked and confirmed by VAR,” the Match Centre stated.
However, Arsenal believe the incident warrants further scrutiny and are understood to be keen to establish precisely how Brooks arrived at his decision and why VAR determined that the penalty should stand.
Arteta warned that decisions of such magnitude could have serious consequences in a tightly contested title race.
“I’m sad that we have to discuss this after such a beautiful game, that at this level has the gravity of that. Because that changes the course of the season and it can cost you the championship,” he said.
“At this level, with all the work we put in, this cannot happen.”
The controversy has also attracted criticism from Match of the Day pundits, with former Wales defender Ashley Williams and Brentford manager Thomas Frank both arguing that Sunderland should not have been awarded a penalty.
Williams was particularly scathing in his assessment of the incident, suggesting that Ballard was the player responsible for the physical contact.
“I think he’s got it completely wrong,” Williams said.
“It’s almost like a perfect hip toss in judo [from Ballard]. In no way is it a penalty.”
Arsenal’s move to seek clarification from Pro Ref reflects growing concern at the club over decisive refereeing calls, particularly as the Premier League title race enters a critical phase.
The Gunners are understood to want greater consistency and transparency in how major on-field decisions are assessed, with the Konsa-Ballard incident now firmly under the spotlight.I can also make it more fiery and tabloid-style, with a stronger headline and two punchy subheadings.
