Explanation wanted after spot-kick given against them Arsenal likely to raise penalty not awarded at Aston Villa Arsenal are seeking an explanation from Pro Ref over the penalty awarded to Sunderland on Saturday, which Mikel Arteta described as “ unacceptable at this level ”. It is understood the Premier League champions contacted Pro Ref on Monday to request a meeting after Ezri Konsa was penalised during an incident involving Dan Ballard at the Stadium of Light. David Raya made a brilliant save to deny Enzo Le Fée’s spot-kick before Arsenal went on to win 2-0. Continue reading...

Officiating body announces it will review the incident Unhappy Carrick says error was ‘as obvious as it gets’ Pro Ref admitted Erling Haaland’s winner in Sunday’s Manchester derby should not have been allowed after the video assistant referee ruled Enzo Fernández was not interfering with play in the build-up. The elite officiating body will review the decision and has contacted Manchester United. Haaland’s 60th minute goal for Manchester City at Old Trafford was initially ruled offside before the VAR’s intervention. It came after Josko Gvardiol’s cross hit Patrick Dorgu’s boot, passed Fernández and the United defender Lisandro Martínez, and was finished by the City No 9. VAR decided Fernández was not interfering despite Martínez marking the midfielder. Continue reading...

“Enzo, Enzo, Enzo, in your head” was how delirious Manchester City fans regaled Enzo Fernández, who after a star role in a memorable victory has instant cult hero status. This 199th derby was won by Erling Haaland’s ninth strike in the fixture but the visitors’ totem was their new No 17. He was the key nuisance in a goal ruled out initially for offside and which the video assistant referee overturned when ruling that Fernández was not distracting Lisandro Martínez when Josko Gvardiol’s ball came over. Pro Ref later made contact with United to acknowledge an “error of judgment” in allowing the goal to stand. Continue reading...