Featured Image Credit: X - Sky Sports
Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Bournemouth, William Saliba
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Bournemouth, William Saliba
Richard Keys called out PGMOL chief Howard Webb as VAR checked an incident involving William Saliba during Saturday's clash between Arsenal and Bournemouth.
In the 30th minute of this weekend's Premier League clash at the Vitality, Saliba was initially shown a yellow card by referee Rob Jones after he brought down Evanilson.
Soon though, the card was upgraded to a red card following a lengthy on-field review by VAR.
But during this review, many questioned whether Howard Webb was involved in the U-turn after he was pictured speaking on his phone in the stands.
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One of those people was former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who said in a now-deleted X post: "Was Howard Webb involved in the decision making of the red card for Saliba??"
Carragher wasn't the only high-profile name to ask the question. Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys took to X, formerly Twitter, to give his opinion on the matter.
He wrote: "Who was Howard Webb texting? And why?"
The Telegraph reporter Sam Dean also chipped in, saying: "My understanding is that Howard Webb (who is at Bournemouth v Arsenal) is only able to listen to the refereeing audio. He can't speak on it himself."
After the French defender was dismissed, the Premier League's Match Centre account explained the decision to overturn Saliba's card.
They said: "The referee gave Saliba a yellow card for a challenge on Evanilson. The VAR deemed that Saliba denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and recommended an on-field review. The referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card."
Arsenal fans in the stadium were quick to express their thoughts on the matter, chanting the words "F*** Howard Webb" as the first-half came to a conclusion.
Here's how fans on social media reacted to the incident.
One said: "Howard Webb on the phone and then going to ear at the same time as the Saliba review is not a good look imo. Just saying @FA_PGMOL."
A second wrote: "What do you think Howard Webb is saying and who do you think he is talking to during the VAR check to award William Saliba a red card?"
A third commented: "Howard Webb during VAR checking the possible red card for Saliba, hmmm...."
A fourth added: "Call me a conspiracy theorist but the ref gives Saliba a yellow, the camera shows Howard Webb texting and putting his finger to his ear in the crowd, then suddenly it’s changed to a red…."