Arsenal to lodge VAR complaint with Pro Ref after Sunderland penalty controversy

Arsenal are set to formally contact Howard Webb and Pro Ref to demand an explanation over the controversial penalty awarded against them during their Premier League match at Sunderland. Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have fouled Dan Ballard in the box at the Stadium of Light, a decision that enraged Gunners manager Mikel Arteta — even though David Raya saved Enzo Le Fee’s resulting spot kick before Bruno Guimarães added a goal.

Arteta made no attempt to hide his frustration after the final whistle. “It is unacceptable at this level,” he said. “This can change the course of a season. It’s not acceptable. I have watched it 10 times to make sure, because I watched it live and I said it’s not possible to be a penalty because it’s a judo roll, that’s what it is. This cannot happen.”

Asked who he held responsible, Arteta was pointed in his response: “You know who.” He added: “In my view, I have been involved in football for 27 or 28 years. It’s not a penalty in any game, in any game, in any context, in any league.”

The Sunderland decision was not the only refereeing flashpoint from the weekend. Pro Ref released a statement acknowledging that Erling Haaland’s goal for Manchester City against Manchester United at Old Trafford should have been disallowed, with Enzo Fernández in an offside position during the build-up.

The statement read: “The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland — that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position. In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review. Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”

The goal allowed City to maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season, a run that could have significant implications for the title race as the campaign progresses. The twin controversies have placed Pro Ref and the VAR system under renewed scrutiny, with two of the division’s leading clubs now directly affected by decisions officials themselves have questioned.