Kai Havertz should have been sent off before scoring Arsenal’s winning goal against Brentford, a panel has concluded.
The Gunners beat Thomas Frank’s side 2-1 in controversial circumstances at the Emirates on March 9, securing a late 2-1 victory thanks to a Havertz goal.
The goal took the hosts to the top of the Premier League table, with Liverpool and Manchester City drawing the following day, ensuring last year’s runners-up go into the final international break of the season at the top of the table.
But the situation could have been very different if referee Rob Jones had correctly sent Havertz for a simulation, the match’s key incidents committee revealed.
The panel ruled that Havertz, who had already received a warning earlier in the match, should have received a second yellow card while attempting to win a penalty in the second half, which would have meant he was not not on the field to score. the winning goal.
Kai Havertz should have been sent off before scoring Arsenal’s winning goal against Brentford, panel revealed
Earlier in the game, Havertz had performed a “clear act of simulation,” the panel concluded.
He then scored late on to secure a 2-1 victory for his side and propel them to the top of the Premier League.
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“Havertz is already falling when the defender makes contact, brushing Havertz’s hip,” the ruling reads. “The panel unanimously agreed that the on-field call was incorrect and that Havertz should have received a second warning for a “clear act of simulation.”
Havertz was yellowed earlier in the match after a clash with Kristoffer Ajer, who was judged for elbowing the defender.
In the 65th minute he fell under a challenge from Nathan Collins in the penalty area, but no kick was awarded. Replays showed that there was no contract between the two players.
Collins could have been heard calling the decision a “fucking disgrace” after the match as Brentford players confronted Jones on the pitch and in the tunnel following Havertz’s 86th-minute goal.
Frank stood by his players in his post-match press conference, saying Havertz should not have been on the field when he scored.
VAR cannot intervene in the event of yellow cards and therefore could not have changed the decision.
Brentford players clashed with referee Rob Jones (centre) on the pitch and in the tunnel after the match
Jones’ status on the referee merit table, which determines bonuses, will now be affected
The Key Match Incidents Panel meets weekly to vote on key decisions for the weekend’s matches, which result in overall ratings for match officials, determining how much they receive in bonuses due to their placement in a draw of merit.
It is made up of five members, including three former players or coaches from a pool of donors, a representative of the Premier League and a representative of the PGMOL refereeing body.
The panel also ruled that Michael Oliver was right not to award Liverpool a late penalty against Manchester City when Alex Mac Allister clashed with Jeremy Doku, although the decision was three votes to two.
