‘They should have been awarded a first-half penalty’: Ex EPL referee Mark Halsey ‘blasts’ Robert Jones for failing to award Arsenal a penalty against Southampton

Sportarsh Team
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Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey believes referee Robert Jones erred in failing to award Arsenal a penalty in Sunday’s 1-1 draw.

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Gabriel Jesus was manhandled in the box by Saints defender Duje Caleta-Car as he attempted to get onto loose ball, but Robert Jones saw nothing wrong with the challenge.

This, along with numerous other decisions, went against Arsenal. Robert Jones failure to point to the spot highlights the inconsistency of Premier League officiating.

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As both Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay and Brentford centre-back Kristoffer Ajer gave away penalties for similar offences over the weekend.

Expressing his views in his column for The Sun, Mark Halsey wrote:

“Arsenal should have been awarded a first-half penalty when Gabriel Jesus was hauled down by Southampton’s Duje Caleta-Car.”

“The incident highlighted the inconsistency of decision-making by officials over holding offences this weekend, with Chelsea and Aston Villa benefiting in similar situations.”

“Caleta-Car wasn’t goal-side and tried to make life difficult for Jesus but he committed himself to a clear holding offence and referee Robert Jones should have pointed to the spot. If Jones didn’t see it, VAR official Peter Bankes needed to intervene.”

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