The Premier League clash between Arsenal and Bournemouth on Sunday was marred by controversy as the Cherries scored a late equaliser that should not have stood.
The goal, scored by Callum Wilson in the 87th minute, was initially ruled out for offside, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) overturned the decision and awarded the goal.
However, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has now weighed in on the incident, claiming that the goal should not have been allowed to stand.
Clattenburg, who refereed the 2016 Champions League final, believes that Bournemouth broke a basic rule of the game when they scored the goal.
The rule in question is that a player cannot be in an offside position when the ball is played, and Clattenburg believes that Wilson was in an offside position when the ball was played.
“The VAR should have disallowed the goal,” Clattenburg told the Daily Mail.
“The basic rule is that a player in an offside position cannot be involved in the play.
“Wilson was in an offside position when the ball was played and he was involved in the play.
“The VAR should have spotted this and disallowed the goal.”
Clattenburg also believes that the VAR should have been more proactive in the incident, as the offside position was clear to see.
“The VAR should have been more proactive in this incident,” he said.
“The offside position was clear to see and the VAR should have spotted it and disallowed the goal.
“It was a basic error and it should not have been allowed to stand.”
The incident has sparked debate over the use of VAR in the Premier League, with many questioning whether the technology is being used correctly.
Clattenburg believes that the VAR should be used more proactively in such incidents, and that the technology should be used to help referees make the correct decisions.
“The VAR should be used more proactively in such incidents,” he said.
“The technology should be used to help referees make the correct decisions.
“In this case, the VAR should have spotted the offside position and disallowed the goal.”
The incident has left Arsenal fans feeling aggrieved, as the goal cost them two points in the race for a top-four finish.
It has also raised questions over the use of VAR in the Premier League, and whether the technology is being used correctly.
Clattenburg believes that the VAR should be used more proactively in such incidents, and that the technology should be used to help referees make the correct decisions.
Only time will tell if the VAR system will be used more proactively in the future, but for now, Arsenal fans will be left feeling aggrieved that their team was let down again.
