Premier League officials have claimed that Arsenal benefitted from a big VAR error in their 1-0 win over Brighton earlier this month.
Bukayo Saka’s early goal saw the Gunners win 1-0 at the Amex.
On the same night, Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest at the Etihad, as the title race took a fresh twist.
Brighton believed they should have been awarded a penalty at the end of the first half, when Mats Wieffer was hauled to the ground by Gabriel Martinelli.
Referee Chris Kavanagh allowed play to continue, and the incident was cleared by Michael Salisbury, who was on VAR duty.
But the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents [KMI] Panel has now said a penalty should have been awarded to the Seagulls.
The ruling said: “Martinelli is not looking at the ball, holds Weiffer into the area and prevents the Brighton player from challenging for the ball.”
The Panel voted 4:1 that a spot-kick should have been awarded on the field, and 3:2 that it was a missed VAR intervention.
That incident becomes the second time Arsenal have escaped giving away a penalty this season.
Away at Everton, William Saliba’s challenge on Thierno Barry was not deemed a foul by VAR, with Salisbury on duty that evening too.
The decision denied David Moyes’ men the chance to equalise from the spot.
