Full VAR transcript of Arsenal controversy as Premier League release audio | Football | Sport

The Premier League have released behind-the-scenes audio of the controversial decision to overturn Arsenal‘s penalty against Newcastle. During the opening period of Sunday’s clash, which witnessed the Gunners secure a 2-1 triumph thanks to a dramatic late strike from Gabriel Magalhaes, Viktor Gyokeres went down following contact with Newcastle shot-stopper Nick Pope, leading match official Jarred Gillett to point to the spot.

Nevertheless, video assistant referee Darren England, operating from the PGMOL’s base at Stockley Park, advised that Gillett should review his original call. Gillett subsequently examined the pitch-side monitor and overturned his initial decision to award Arsenal a penalty, leaving Mikel Arteta fuming.

Both Arteta and Gunners captain Bukayo Saka expressed their frustration with the verdict following the final whistle, as Newcastle had taken a 1-0 advantage shortly after Gillett’s reversal. Despite this blow, Arsenal managed to bounce back and claim all three points, though the controversy continued to dominate post-match discussions.

The issue was examined in the most recent instalment of Match Officials Mic’d Up starring Howard Webb. As chief refereeing officer for the PGMOL and a former Premier League official, Webb offers supporters a glimpse into the decision-making process, especially those that spark the greatest debate.

Here’s a transcript of what was said in the 14th minute…

Gillett: “On-field decision is a penalty. Nick Pope, a trip by Nick Pope.”

England: “OK, checking the on-field decision of penalty.”

England: “Got a better angle?”

Replay Operator: “Yeah, I’ve got a better angle from behind here.”

England: “Does he get a touch on the ball, the goalkeeper? I think he gets a touch on the ball. Nick Pope gets a touch on the ball here.”

Assistant VAR (Steven Meredith): “Yes, he does, yeah.”

England: “Does he? One more time. He actually gets a touch on the ball, doesn’t he?”

Meredith: “Yeah, there’s a secondary touch.”

England: “Give me another angle, please. Just make sure that Pope touches the ball, please.”

Replay Operator: “I’ve got an SSM (Super-Slow Motion), but it’s from the other side.”

England: “He does touch the ball, doesn’t he? Touches the ball first, then there’s contact afterwards. Therefore, that’s not a penalty kick. He touches the ball there.”

Replay Operator: “This is the best angle.”

Meredith: “Have you got the behind view?”

Replay Operator: “Yeah, this is the best angle I’ve got.”

England: “He does, doesn’t he? He touches. OK, let’s just check the APP (Attacking Possession Phase) as it goes over as well.”

Meredith: “It’s definitely played by a defender. But check it anyway.”

England: “Jarred, I’m going to recommend an on-field review for possible no penalty. Let me know when you’ve got the monitor. I am going to check APP as well. Nick Pope gets a touch on the ball.”

Replay Operator: “I’ll go slowly so you can check the APP.”

England stated: “Yeah, yeah. It’s his defender, a clear defender, isn’t it? It’s always clear defender, that’s fine. The APP has been checked, the APP is clear as well. I’m going to show you the tight angle first with the ball being touched by Nick Pope. Any contact that happens thereafter, after the contact has been made.”

He continued: “Nick Pope gets a touch with his right foot, I’ll give you another angle on the touch.”

Gillett interjected: “Show me a better angle to see that he touches the ball.”

England responded: “I will do, I’ll show you a better angle.”

The Replay Operator asked: “Do you want the SSM from the other side?”

England replied: “Yeah, yeah, yeah, super slow. Super slow, coming in now. Gets a touch on the ball there. And then just plants his foot in a normal action.”

Gillett observed: “The attacker plays the ball first. I don’t know if the goalkeeper actually plays the ball.”

England clarified: “The attacker plays the ball. Yeah, the attacker plays the ball, and the goalkeeper plays the ball then with his right foot, there.”

Gillett requested: “Just play it at full speed, please.”

England explained: “Any contact there, any contact after that is normal contact, because the goalkeeper just plays his foot.”

Gillett reiterated: “Can you play it at full speed?”

England confirmed: “Playing at normal speed for you.”

Gillett analysed: “So I’m seeing the goalkeeper get a toe to the ball first, prior to making contact.”

England agreed: “Agree.”

Gillett concluded: “So after a review, the goalkeeper plays the ball, there’s no foul. Final decision, we drop ball.”

England affirmed: “Confirmed.”

Webb concurred with the officials’ verdict, stating: “The referee hadn’t recognised that touch, that was important, the VAR saw it and deemed it was a clear error. I agree with the VAR’s intervention, so the referee can go to the screen, look at the full sequence, see that touch, see that there was a normal playing action by Pope and the penalty was rightly cancelled.”