Howard Webb has faced criticism after revealing what he told the referee during a controversial decision involving Arsenal’s William Saliba in their recent Premier League game against Bournemouth.
Webb, head of PGMOL, apologized to Arsenal supporters, stating that the referee’s action did not align with his guidance. His comments have reignited debates over VAR and officiating standards in English football.
The incident occurred during the first half, when Saliba was initially shown a yellow card by referee Rob Jones for fouling Bournemouth’s Evanilson.
However, after a VAR review, the card was upgraded to a red for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, meaning Saliba would miss Arsenal’s next match against Liverpool.
Former Liverpool defender and pundit Jamie Carragher questioned whether Webb, who was seen on the phone during the game, had influenced the decision. His comments fueled further concerns about transparency in officiating.
Arsenal fans, both in the stadium and online, voiced their anger, chanting against Webb and the PGMOL as Arsenal faced additional challenges, including injuries to key players like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
The Premier League later explained the reasoning behind the red card, citing that VAR concluded Saliba had denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
However, this did little to pacify Arsenal fans, who felt the decision was unjust and could impact their chances in the upcoming match against Liverpool.
Manager Mikel Arteta must now adjust his lineup without Saliba, as the controversy over VAR’s role in football continues.
Webb’s involvement and apology have only deepened questions about the consistency and transparency of Premier League officiating.
