Former Manchester City and England goalkeeper, Joe Hart, has explained why Arsenal were not awarded a penalty in their Premier League clash with Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Referee Jarred Gillett initially pointed to the spot after Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres went down under a challenge from goalkeeper Nick Pope, but the decision was overturned following a VAR review.
“As Gyokeres went through, the immediate goalkeeper in me said, ‘I hope Pope got a touch on that, but I’m not 100 per cent sure’,” Hart said on Match of the Day.
He added that Pope did make contact with the striker and diverted the ball away, but that was not the deciding factor.
“As Pope plants his foot, he’s deemed not to be using a forward motion towards Gyokeres,” Hart explained.
“Therefore, as Gyokeres’ knee clashes into Pope’s knee, it is just seen as a clash of bodies. It’s not Pope taking him out. It’s not a foul. Not a penalty.”
After the game, Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka told Sky Sports that the team always seem to be on the wrong side of refereeing decisions. Manager Mikel Arteta also expressed his belief that his side had been denied a clear penalty.
