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The PGMOL responded to accusations of undue influence from referee chief Howard Webb in Arsenal's defeat at Bournemouth.
The Premier League's referee body, PGMOL, has released a statement after accusations of undue influence by their chairman, Howard Webb, in Arsenal's defeat at the Vitality Stadium.
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19:15 - 21.10.2024
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Arsenal fans blame Howard Webb for Saliba red card - Reactions as Gunners lose 2-0 to Bournemouth
See what Arsenal fans are saying about Howard Webb after the Gunners suffered a 2-0 loss away against Bournemouth.
The accusation against Webb
For the third time this season, Arsenal had to navigate a Premier League game with 10 men. Unlike the first two games—draws against Brighton and Manchester City—the Gunners could not avoid defeat against Bournemouth and were beaten 2-0.
After initially showing yellow to William Saliba for a last-man tackle, referee Robert Jones was told to watch the incident on the pitch-side monitor by the VAR, and he changed the card to red, forcing Arsenal to play with a deficit for over an hour.
While Arsenal fans waited with bated breath as Jones was reviewing the incident on the monitor, the camera panned on referee chief Webb in the stadium, seemingly listening in on the VAR deliberation.
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Hence, the former Premier League referee was accused of influencing the outcome, as Pulse Sports reported.
PGMOL responds
According to a report from the Times, the PGMOL confirms Webb was indeed listening in on the conversation but insisted that he did not influence the decision.
They maintained that he had to be involved in the decision, suggesting that the conversation was only one way.
Meanwhile, the match is already in the rearview mirror for Arteta's men, as they will now focus on their midweek Champions League clash against Shakhtar, which Saliba will be eligible for before he begins his suspension next weekend against Liverpool.
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