Premier League panel issues verdict on Sunderland penalty decision against Arsenal

A Premier League panel has confirmed Sunderland's penalty awarded against Arsenal was incorrect. The Premier League's Key Match Incidents five-person panel unanimously disagreed with the on-field decision.

Referee John Brooks deemed Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa fouled Sunderland's Dan Ballard at a corner for excessive holding. Enzo Le Fee stepped up from the spot but was denied by David Raya, as Arsenal went on to win 2-0.

Stories Videos Your Say The Gunners boss, Mikel Arteta, was furious with the decision, and the club contacted Pro Ref for an explanation. The panel that reached the decision issued a statement explaining how it came to its verdict.

It wrote: "Although it was a very untidy challenge in which Konsa initially had arms around Ballard, Ballard engages in a holding action which pulls Konsa onto him so they both fall to the floor. " The panel gave a 3-2 majority backing VAR Stuart Attwell's decision not to intervene, deeming it not clear and obvious.

A Premier League panel has issued its verdict on Sunderland's penalty being awarded against Arsenal LATEST SPORTS NEWS Football club sacks manager after telling female referee 'this is a man's game' BBC to axe sports bulletins as staff consider strike action after corporation's cost-cutting drive 'Phil Taylor would have found a way to beat Luke Littler', says ex-Premier League of darts winner Speaking after the match, Arteta said: "[The decision] is not acceptable. "I watched it 20 times, and I cannot find a way to understand how they'd think to give a penalty in that situation or the way the VAR has to intervene.

"At this level with all the work we put in, this cannot happen. " The panel is put together with three former players and coaches, a Premier League representative and one from Pro Ref.

Mikel Arteta heavily criticised the decision It also looked at Erling Haaland's winner in the Manchester derby, which should have been chalked off for offside. The Norwegian was initially deemed offside, but after a VAR check, the City striker was ruled onside, with question marks raised about Enzo Fernandez's influence.

The Argentine, who was in an offside position, appeared to go for a diving header but did not touch the ball. Despite Lisandro Martinez appearing to be influenced by his compatriot's action, the goal stood, and 10-man City won the derby 1-0.

The panel deemed Erling Haaland's winning goal should not have stood Pro Ref previously admitted that the officials made an error and the goal should have been reviewed on-field. A Pro Ref spokesman said: "Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday's Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland's awarded goal.

"The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland - that was checked by VAR, and he was found to be in an onside position. "In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.

"Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.