PGMOL chief Howard Webb attended Arsenal’s clash with Bournemouth (Picture: Getty)
Sky Sports have dismissed claims PGMOL chief Howard Webb played a role in the decision to send off William Saliba during Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth.
Saliba was shown a red card at the Vitality Stadium after tangling up with Evanilson and bringing the Bournemouth striker down as he went to race through on goal.
Referee Robert Jones initially showed Saliba a yellow but was advised to consult the pitchside monitor by the Video Assistant Referee and proceeded to upgrade the yellow to a red.
Arsenal felt aggrieved by the decision, which came inside the opening half an hour, as the incident occurred just inside their half but their former player Theo Walcott and ex-England midfielder Jamie Redknapp both believe a red was the correct decision.
Many Arsenal fans also questioned if Webb influenced the decision from the stands as the referee chief was seen texting and talking on his phone as VAR checked the incident.
Even Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher and sports presenter Richard Keys questioned if Webb played a role in the sending off.
‘Was Howard Webb involved in the decision making of the red card of Saliba?’ Carragher asked in a now-deleted social media post.
Webb was seen on his phone as VAR reviewed the incident (Picture: beIN SPORTS)
Keys, meanwhile, said: ‘Who was Howard Webb texting? And why?’
After Bournemouth’s 2-0 win over Arsenal, Sky Sports presenter David Jones attempted to clarify the situation, saying Webb was listening to the officials communicate but had ‘no input’ into the decision.
‘What we understand is he’s listening to a match feed of the VAR officials and their communication with the on-field officials, just as we do as broadcasters,’ Jones said.
‘He has no input, no ability to talk to the officials. Just to clear that up for you.’
William Saliba was sent off at the Vitality Stadium (Picture: Getty)
Sky Sports pundit Redknapp, meanwhile, said: ‘Howard Webb is not trying to communicate with the officials from the stands.
‘He’s watching the game. Anyone who thinks that, to have the audacity, or ego, to think “I am going to influence the game”, we’re talking nonsense now to even question that.
‘He is at the game and listening to the audio. But he can’t turn round to the referee. We’ve got VAR and everyone there looking at it why would he even dream to get involved?’
On Saliba’s red card, Redknapp added: ‘There’s absolutely no doubt if he had no put his arms on him, he [William Saliba] would have got there first.
Bournemouth beat 10-man Arsenal 2-0 (Picture: Getty)
‘He is one of the quickest players, one of the quickest defenders. He would have at least had enough pace to get help.
‘Your natural inclination is to panic, grab him and he’s thinking “what have I done?” Then Gabriel went to the referee and there’s a few guilty signs.
‘It’s definitely a foul. Ben White you could argue, can he get back in time, but my guess is no. It was definitely denying a goalscoring opportunity.’
Arsenal attempted to grind out a result after going down to 10 men but second-half goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert condemned the Gunners to their first defeat of the season.
Andoni Iraola hailed his team’s performance (Picture: Getty)
It was Arsenal’s second Premier League defeat of 2024, across 26 games this and last season, and their first away loss this calendar year.
Reacting to the setback, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said: ‘We’ve kicked ourselves in the foot three times in eight games and we got away with it at home to Brighton and away at Manchester City.
‘Bournemouth kept probing and made it 2-0. I’m proud of the players for fighting, even with 10 men, but the naivety, we need to stop making mistakes because you want 11 players for 90 minutes and that’s what wins you football matches.
‘With 10 men we showed a lot of character and personality to stay in the game. The big chance was Martinelli’s and the keeper read it and made a great save and one minute later, normally a routine we are so strong at, has done us.
Arsenal missed the chance to go top (Picture: Getty)
‘We can’t make silly mistakes. You need all your best players on the pitch at all times. The belief is so high and we will stick together.
‘This is football, whatever happens the most important thing is that you stick together and stay in the right direction.’
While Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Premier League, Bournemouth moved into the top-half of the table, above Manchester United, after winning their first game of the season.
Cherries boss Andoni Iraola said: ‘It was quite a mature win because it is a tricky situation [playing against 10 men].
‘We started well for the first 30 minutes and then the red card changes the game. We had to control the game, attack but don’t lose our minds as even with 10 men, set plays, free-kicks they can be a threat.
‘Luckily for us we took the benefit of having one man more.’
Saliba’s red card means he will miss next weekend’s clash against current Premier League leaders Liverpool.
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