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Referee Body Admits ‘Human Error’ In Brentford’s Equaliser Against Arsenal

A win for Arsenal would have sent the Gunners eight points clear at the summit pending Manchester City’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.


arsenal-brentford
Brentford’s Danish midfielder Christian Norgaard (L) clears the ball from the patch of Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (C) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 11, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)

 

English referee body has admitted a “human error” in Brentford’s equaliser against Arsenal in a Premier League game on Saturday and in another fixture.

The Gunners laboured to score through a Leandro Trossard effort but English striker Ivan Toney responded quickly to restore parity in the 1-1 draw.

While the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was used to review the goal before it was allowed, the official in charge of VAR Lee Mason did not spot Brentford’s Christian Norgaard coming from an offside position to assist Toney.

VAR also incorrectly ruled out Brighton’s goal as offside in their draw against Palace.

READ ALSO: Again, Arsenal Drop Points In Title Chase, Draw Brentford

‘Human Error’

But hours after the matches, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said there were “errors” in the Brentford goal and in the other game.

“PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday,” the body said in a statement Sunday.

“Both incidents, which were due to human error and related to the analysis of offside situations, are being thoroughly reviewed by PGMOL.”

A win for Arsenal would have sent the Gunners eight points clear at the summit before Manchester City’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.

Mikel Arteta’s men, who are now three points ahead following the draw, face Pep Guardiola’s side in a must-win, top-of-the-table clash at the Emirates on Wednesday.