Ex-PGMOL boss reacts to Arsenal penalty controversy as Everton fans fume

Samuel Barrott took the right course of action as Everton were denied a late penalty kick against Arsenal on Saturday.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that William Saliba‘s kick on Thierno Barry was just a part of football, a contact sport.

Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League table, above Man City once again, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring his sixth goal of the season from the penalty spot.

Jake O’Brien has been rock-solid for Everton, but it was a moment of madness from the makeshift right-back, who handled the ball with both hands at a set-piece situation.

That turned out to be the only goal of the game, but it may not have been had Barrott pointed to the penalty spot.

William Saliba follows through on Thierno Barry

In the 58th minute, Saliba, following through on an attempted clearance, made contact with the Everton striker instead, but calls for a spot-kick were quickly waved away.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the penalty incident, the former referee said: “Football is a contact sport, and I can fully understand why a penalty kick was not given.

“The ball is there, and that is what the Arsenal player was attempting to play. It’s not a penalty kick for me.”

Despite the clear decision, home supporters have been left absolutely incensed by what they feel to be an injustice at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, taking to social media to slam the officials.

Keith Hackett also confirms Arsenal penalty after blatant handball

It was a game of incidents on Merseyside, but the Toffees have very little to complain about when it comes to the refereeing decisions, especially after the first-half penalty.

Rewatching footage of O’Brien’s clearance with his hands, the former referee said: “It’s difficult to understand why a player might think that he is going to get away with his handball.”

For all the controversial incidents kicking off in the Premier League each weekend, this might have been the simplest of decisions, with Barrott only needing a quick glance at VAR to give the spot-kick.

Other than that, the Gunners created very few chances, so it might have been a different story for the home side on another night.

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