Experts panel: Liverpool deserved a penalty against Arsenal
An experts panel ruled that Liverpool deserved a penalty against Arsenal for pulling Isaac's shirt
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
A panel of experts ruled on Wednesday that Liverpool deserved a penalty after their Swedish striker Alexander Isak had his shirt pulled during the match against league leaders Arsenal.
Dutch Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber grabbed Isak’s shirt during the game played at Anfield on November 1, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the defending champions.
Match referee Andy Madley took no action regarding the incident, and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Stuart Attwell decided not to recommend a review of the footage. The decision drew criticism at the time from pundits such as Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright, before the five-member main Match Incidents Panel confirmed that a penalty should have been awarded.
Four panel members criticized Madley’s decision, judging that Timber’s action amounted to a “pulling” foul, while three of them believed Attwell should have intervened, as Madley’s decision was clearly and obviously wrong.
Isak did not appeal to the on-field officials about the shirt-pulling incident in the match, which Arsenal won thanks to a goal from German striker Kai Havertz. Isak has scored seven goals in nine league games this season, while Liverpool sit fourth with 18 points, nine points behind leaders Arsenal.
