THE PREMIER LEAGUE have released a statement on the decision to award Brighton a penalty after William Saliba headbutted Joao Pedro.
Saliba made contact on the Brighton striker using his head but avoided a red card.
Referee Anthony Taylor did deem the challenge to be a foul however so awarded the Seagulls a penalty, which Pedro converted.
VAR reviewed the incident and confirmed the ref’s decision to award a spot kick.
The Premier League match centre have since clarified the incident, confirming the decision made by the ref and VAR.
It wrote on X: “The referee’s call of penalty for a foul by Saliba on Pedro was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty.”
Fans were split on the incident with one Arsenal fan arguing it should have not been a penalty.
They wrote: “In what world is this a penalty against Saliba????”
A fan hit back, saying: “100 per cent pen. If you go to kick the ball and catch the player late it’s a foul, no different with head! It’s a late foul!”
Another added: “Clear penalty!”
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And a third wrote: “It’s a clear penalty. You can see clearly the tackle stopped Pedro from advancing forward.”
Ethan Nwaneri had put Arsenal in front in the first half but they were unable to find another after Pedro’s equaliser, with the match finishing 1-1.
