Jagielka sent off
Arsenal fans were left bewildered after Phil Jagielka was sent off in Sheffield United’s 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.
The former Everton and England international was given his marching orders having taken down Anwar El Ghazi who was deemed to have been denied a clear goal scoring opportunity.
It’s red for Phil Jagielka! 🟥
Denying a goalscoring opportunity following intervention from VAR.
Could this one have gone either way? pic.twitter.com/N0ZhzC1UpC
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 3, 2021
The cause of frustration was that when Arsenal played against Aston Villa mere weeks ago, Bukayo Saka was taken down when through on goal, by Ezri Konsa. However, the officials deemed Matty Cash to have been the covering defender and therefore the England winger was not denied a clear goal scoring opportunity.
There is an argument that Kean Bryan was within range to also be deemed a covering defender but the referee, having looked at VAR, decided that El Ghazi was indeed denied the chance to score.
Arsenal fans fume
The incident was broadcast to social media through BT Sport and Arsenal fans responded in expectantly frustrated fashion.
Why wasn’t Konsa sent off for fouling Saka but sending off Jagielka is the right decision? VAR needs to stop imposing into a game and let it be used when actually needed. #SHUAVL pic.twitter.com/jWmbXkJ48K
— AsianMeerkat (@AsianMeerkat) March 3, 2021
That is absolutely never a red card against Jagielka, less of an offence than Konsa on saka.. literally had a defender closer to the goal than the player making the challenge
— James (@JamesCheetham93) March 3, 2021
How is that a red for Jagielka yet Konsa on Saka wasn’t? It’s basically identical
— Powts (@jamiepowter96) March 3, 2021
This is a red card apparently but Konsa on Saka wasn’t. Good job refs.
I’ve never seen so many wrong decisions in such a short space of time from referees in England. What is going on!? https://t.co/ukZmSJDgAD
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) March 3, 2021
Yet Konsa on Saka wasn’t 😂😂😂 https://t.co/FGWGaUXYBj
— Matt Taylor (@matt1taylor) March 3, 2021
Yet again no consistency from PL refs.. Konsa took out Saka and didn’t get sent off https://t.co/56UIX4rvKu pic.twitter.com/igUiHyxLLz
— RK (@RidarKh) March 3, 2021
