Former PGMOL boss Keith Hackett says Michael Oliver should request not to work with VAR Darren England again after Myles Lewis-Skelly’s highly controversial sending off in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Wolves.
The major talking point of Saturday’s high-stakes Premier League clash took place in the closing stages of the first half as Wolves broke with pace from deep inside their own half following an unsuccessful Arsenal corner at Molineux.
But as the hosts burst forward and mounted a dangerous-looking attack in search of an opener, Matt Doherty was brought down by Lewis-Skelly, drawing a furious reaction from the home crowd.
Lewis-Skelly would no doubt have been expecting a yellow card considering where the foul took place on the pitch. The 18-year-old, though, could not believe his eyes when referee Oliver brandished a red card from his pocket, reducing the visitors to ten men.
The contentious decision was upheld by VAR, with the Premier League Match Centre tweeting: ‘The referee’s call of a red card for Lewis-Skelly was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed his challenge to have been serious foul play.’
Arsenal would go on to claim all three points thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s crucial 74th-minute strike, keeping the north Londoners within six points of top-of-the-table Liverpool.
But Mikel Arteta was still ‘absolutely fuming’ about Lewis-Skelly’s sending off as he faced the media after Arsenal’s hard-fought victory, telling reporters: ‘It is that clear that I leave it to you guys.
‘I am absolutely fuming but I leave it with you because it is that obvious.
‘I don’t think my words are going to help.’
The decision was universally panned by fans and pundits alike, with ex-England striker Alan Shearer – the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer – labelling the call one of the worst he had ever seen.
Former Premier League referee Hackett, meanwhile, took to X to deliver his scathing verdict, urging Oliver to take drastic action over Lewis-Skelly’s ‘disastrous’ red.
‘It’s Arsenal and once again they are at the end of a very poor refereeing decision,’ an astonished Hackett tweeted.
‘Michael Oliver – that is not a red card and if I was you I would tell [Howard] Webb (PGMOL boss) that you do not want to work with your VAR Darren England.
‘Between you it was a disaster to send off that Arsenal player.’
After Shearer had delivered his stinging verdict, Hackett added: Well Alan Shearer you were spot on with your analysis of that very poor decision to red card an Arsenal player.
‘Oliver was wrong 100% it was reckless that was a yellow card!! offence.
‘It was a clear and obvious error. VAR Darren England AVAR Adrian Holmes. I you afraid [sic] to send Oliver to the screen.
‘Frankly you would not be appointed to a EPL game for a month – yes that’s how bad that decision was. Spend a few weeks receiving the appropriate operational advice.’
Arsenal academy graduate Lewis-Skelly now faces a three-match ban unless the decision is overturned, meaning the teenager will miss the Gunners’ upcoming league games against Manchester City and Leicester.
The youngster will also have to sit out the second leg of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Newcastle at St James’ Park on February 5.
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