Breaking: Var officials in attendance are also expected to face sanctions; PGMOL has finally suspended Michael Oliver for his actions during yesterday’s Trossard Red card incident and two incorrect calls. Bravo, supporters of Arsenal!
After Leandro Trossard was controversially sent off during Arsenal’s crucial Premier League match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, the fans were incensed.
In stoppage time of the first half, the Belgium international was given a second yellow card, which led to his ejection.
Following the blow of the whistle, Trossard kicked the ball away, earning referee Michael Oliver his second yellow card for time-wasting.
Trossard’s second yellow card cost Arsenal even more because he had already been booked for a foul early in the game. Mikel Arteta was visibly furious on the touchline as a result of the incident.
The Arsenal players surrounding Trossard were obviously upset with Oliver’s choice, and the manager of the team was seen yelling at the fourth official.
Later, on social media, the Premier League’s Match Center provided clarification on the ruling, stating that Trossard received the second yellow card for “delaying the restart” by kicking the ball away. Fans and commentators alike continued to find the choice to be quite contentious in spite of this justification.
When commenting on the event, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville called Trossard’s actions “stupidity.” Neville claims that when Trossard kicked the ball away after hearing the whistle, the referee had no choice but to dismiss him.
Neville said that Trossard even seemed to pause before kicking the ball, suggesting that he was aware of hearing the whistle but chose to proceed anyhow.
Neville continued by saying that even though Arteta and the coaching team could have sought to comfort Trossard after the red card at first, they would probably reconsider after giving the matter a closer look.
Neville made the implication that Arsenal’s players needed to exercise greater discipline at crucial times like these by saying, “They aren’t learning.” He went on to say that rather of seeing Trossard’s actions as harsh referee decisions, Arteta and his staff would eventually see them as “stupidity.”
Arsenal had to play with 10 men for the remainder of the game, adding to the already daunting task of taking on Manchester City. Although the Gunners had every right to be upset with the ruling, Neville’s analysis showed that Arsenal had no cause for complaint regarding Trossard’s activities.
