CONTROVERSY VAR AND REFEREE ERROR 》Premier League release statement following ‘craziest’ foul of the season during Brighton vs Arsenal

William Saliba fouled Joao Pedro to concede a bizarre penalty.

The Premier League have issued a statement following a bizarre foul during Brighton vs. Arsenal.

Joao Pedro cancelled out Ethan Nwaneri’s first-half opener with a penalty just after the hour mark.

He was adjudged to have been fouled by William Saliba, who accidentally headbutted the Brighton forward inside the box.

William Saliba headbutted Joao Pedro to concede a penalty. Image: Premier League

William Saliba headbutted Joao Pedro to concede a penalty. Image: Premier League

Match referee Anthony Taylor wasted no time in pointing to the spot as he awarded Brighton a penalty, which was converted by Pedro.

Shortly after the incident, the Premier League released a statement, revealing the foul had been checked and confirmed by VAR.

The statement read: “The referee’s call of penalty for a foul by Saliba on João Pedro was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty.”

Fans on social media were left divided over Saliba’s foul on Pedro.

One X user wrote: “Just like any other tackle that really. Ball is there to be won, Pedro wins it first and Saliba is late. Correct decision.”

A second tweeted: “I’m sorry that’s an incredibly soft penalty. Saliba is attempting to head the ball, and there is the lightest graze of Joao Pedro’s head.”

A third argued: “Not sure why there’s complaints about that penalty decision. Saliba heads Joao Pedro and completely misses the ball… Blatant penalty…”

A fourth said: “I called that as a penalty when I saw it. Saliba mistimed and headbutt him. But you don’t really see those given.”

A fifth commented: “Balls in the air to be won. More of a clash of heads if Saliba went down holding his head as well, wouldn’t have been given.”

The penalty proved crucial as Brighton grabbed a point against Arsenal, with the fixture ending 1-1.

The Gunners close the gap on league leaders Liverpool – but by just one point.

As for the Seagulls, they climb into the top half of the table in 10th place.