Sky Sports reacts to unexpected claims of interference concerning the red card issued to Saliba in Arsenal’s loss…

Sky Sports addresses surprising allegations regarding interference in the red card decision for Saliba during Arsenal’s defeat.

Sky Sports provides a response to the startling accusations of interference related to the red card decision for Saliba in Arsenal’s recent defeat.

The Video Assistant Referee reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor and subsequently changed the yellow card to a red.

Arsenal expressed their dissatisfaction with the ruling, which occurred in the 30th minute, as the incident took place just within their half.

However, former Arsenal player Theo Walcott and Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp both asserted that the decision was justified.

Nonetheless, numerous Arsenal supporters raised concerns about whether former top referee Howard Webb had influenced the decision from the stands, as he was observed texting and conversing on his phone while VAR assessed the situation.

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher and sports presenter Richard Keys were among those questioning Webb’s involvement in the sending-off.

“Did Howard Webb have a hand in the decision regarding Saliba’s red card?” Carragher inquired in a now-deleted social media post.

Keys added, “Who was Howard Webb texting? And what was the purpose?”

Following Bournemouth’s 2-0 victory, Sky Sports presenter David Jones clarified that Webb was simply listening to the officials’ communications and had “no input” in the decision-making process.

“You may have noticed some speculation on social media regarding Howard Webb’s actions in the crowd during the VAR review,” Jones explained. “He has an earpiece and his phone out.

What we understand is that he is listening to a match feed from the VAR officials and their discussions with the on-field referees, similar to what we do as broadcasters.

“However, he does not have any influence or the ability to communicate with the officials making the decisions. I just wanted to clarify that for you.”

Redknapp dismissed the conspiracy theories surrounding Saliba’s red card, stating: “Howard Webb is not attempting to communicate with the officials from the stands.

“He is simply observing the game. Anyone who believes otherwise, to have the audacity or ego to think ‘I can influence the game,’ is mistaken.”

He is present at the match and listening to the audio feed. However, he cannot turn to the referee.

With VAR in place and everyone monitoring the situation, why would he even consider intervening?

Regarding Saliba’s red card, Redknapp remarked: “There is no question that if he hadn’t put his arms on him, William Saliba would have reached the ball first.

“He is among the fastest players, particularly as a defender. He would have had sufficient speed to provide support.

“Instinctively, one tends to panic and grab the opponent, leading him to wonder, ‘What have I done?’ Then Gabriel approached the referee, displaying some signs of guilt.

“It is undoubtedly a foul. One could argue whether Ben White could have recovered in time, but I believe he could not. It was clearly denying a goal-scoring opportunity.”

In addition, the Premier League clarified the reasoning behind VAR’s decision to upgrade Saliba’s yellow card to a red, stating on X: “The referee initially issued a yellow card to Saliba for a challenge on Evanilson.

“The VAR determined that Saliba denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and recommended a review on the field. Consequently, the referee upgraded the yellow card to a red.”

Despite being reduced to ten players for the third time this season, Arsenal managed to withstand pressure until two late goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert secured victory for the home team.