A panel has concluded that Kai Havertz should have been sent off before securing a late winner for Arsenal against Brentford in a Premier League game on March 9.
The forward's 86th minute goal took the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table but a panel has said that the German International should have been shown a second yellow card for diving.
Yoane Wissa had pounced on an Aaron Ramsdale mistake following Declan Rice’s early opener but the header from Havertz condemned the away side to a defeat.
The German International received his first yellow card during stoppage time of the first half for elbowing Kristoffer Ajer. Thereafter, he fell to the ground in the penalty area after a challenge from Nathan Collins.
Collins could allegedly be heard labeling the decision a 'f***ing disgrace' after the match as Brentford players confronted the referee on the field and in the tunnel following Havertz's 86th-minute winning goal.
Replays of the occurrence plainly showed there was limited contact between the two players, however, the Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has ruled that Havertz should have been issued a second yellow card as an outcome of his actions.
The panel labels Havertz's action as "A clear act of simulation".
The KMI Panel, consisting of five members - three former players or coaches plus a representative from the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) sits to vote on key decisions.
The Key Match Incidents Panel meets weekly to vote on key decisions from weekend games, which concludes in overall ratings for match officials, determining how much they receive in bonuses due to placing in a merit table.
The panel later revealed that Havertz should’ve been sent off by the referee, Rob Jones, for his 'clear act of simulation'. This means he should not have been on the pitch to score Arsenal’s winning goal against Brentford.
They said; "Havertz is already falling when the defender makes contact, brushing Havertz’s hip. The panel unanimously agreed the on-field decision was incorrect and Havertz should have been given a second yellow card for a 'clear act of simulation.'"
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) official could not take action during the match as they were unable to review yellow-card offenses.
In November 2023, the KMI also ruled Havertz was lucky to have escaped a red card against Newcastle United after a “very dangerous” tackle on Sean Longstaff.
*What Brentford's head coach said about his players' actions after the end of the game against Arsenal*
Brentford manager, Thomas Frank backed up his players in his post-match press conference, saying Havertz should not have been on the pitch when he scored.
He said; "For me, it was a clear dive, the penalty shout. If you see that slowly back, it’s clear. Maybe it’s difficult for Rob, the ref, but the linesman should have seen it, in my opinion, clearly. I don’t think Havertz should be on the pitch when he scored the goal".
On the other hand, the panel also ruled that Michael Oliver was correct not to award Liverpool a late penalty against Manchester City when Alex Mac Allister clashed with Jeremy Doku, though the decision was three votes against two.
The forward's 86th minute goal took the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table but a panel has said that the German International should have been shown a second yellow card for diving.
Yoane Wissa had pounced on an Aaron Ramsdale mistake following Declan Rice’s early opener but the header from Havertz condemned the away side to a defeat.
The German International received his first yellow card during stoppage time of the first half for elbowing Kristoffer Ajer. Thereafter, he fell to the ground in the penalty area after a challenge from Nathan Collins.
Collins could allegedly be heard labeling the decision a 'f***ing disgrace' after the match as Brentford players confronted the referee on the field and in the tunnel following Havertz's 86th-minute winning goal.
Replays of the occurrence plainly showed there was limited contact between the two players, however, the Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has ruled that Havertz should have been issued a second yellow card as an outcome of his actions.
The panel labels Havertz's action as "A clear act of simulation".
The KMI Panel, consisting of five members - three former players or coaches plus a representative from the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) sits to vote on key decisions.
The Key Match Incidents Panel meets weekly to vote on key decisions from weekend games, which concludes in overall ratings for match officials, determining how much they receive in bonuses due to placing in a merit table.
The panel later revealed that Havertz should’ve been sent off by the referee, Rob Jones, for his 'clear act of simulation'. This means he should not have been on the pitch to score Arsenal’s winning goal against Brentford.
They said; "Havertz is already falling when the defender makes contact, brushing Havertz’s hip. The panel unanimously agreed the on-field decision was incorrect and Havertz should have been given a second yellow card for a 'clear act of simulation.'"
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) official could not take action during the match as they were unable to review yellow-card offenses.
In November 2023, the KMI also ruled Havertz was lucky to have escaped a red card against Newcastle United after a “very dangerous” tackle on Sean Longstaff.
*What Brentford's head coach said about his players' actions after the end of the game against Arsenal*
Brentford manager, Thomas Frank backed up his players in his post-match press conference, saying Havertz should not have been on the pitch when he scored.
He said; "For me, it was a clear dive, the penalty shout. If you see that slowly back, it’s clear. Maybe it’s difficult for Rob, the ref, but the linesman should have seen it, in my opinion, clearly. I don’t think Havertz should be on the pitch when he scored the goal".
On the other hand, the panel also ruled that Michael Oliver was correct not to award Liverpool a late penalty against Manchester City when Alex Mac Allister clashed with Jeremy Doku, though the decision was three votes against two.