Premier League admits VAR mistake in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Aston Villa | OneFootball

The Premier League has admitted a significant refereeing error in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Villa Park, with the Key Match Incident Panel ruling a stoppage-time penalty should have been awarded and Ian Maatsen sent off.

It judged Maatsen’s late tackle on Bruno Guimaraes reckless, noting contact on the attacker’s standing leg and no touch on the ball. It found the non-award met the threshold for VAR intervention and that a second caution should have followed.

Arsenal had led through Bukayo Saka’s second-half strike, then deep into added time Maatsen slid in on Guimaraes. Referee Jarred Gillett rejected the appeals and VAR James Bell upheld the on-field decision.

The league’s framework applies a high threshold for VAR, intended not to re-referee subjective incidents and requiring clear evidence. In this case, the threshold was met and an on-field review should have been recommended, which would have left the referee able to issue a second yellow.

Despite the error, Arsenal departed with a vital victory that maintained early-season momentum, then beat Chelsea 2-1 in their third league game. Villa benefited from Maatsen avoiding a red card, keeping him available, while scrutiny on officials and VAR consistency continues.

Source: Goal.com

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