MARK CHAPMAN led fury and amazement from fans as Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off after one of the “worst decisions ever”.
The Arsenal midfielder was just outside his own area when he cynically tripped Matt Doherty and saw red in a 1-0 win at Wolves.
GettyThis red card for Myles Lewis-Skelly sparked outrage[/caption]
Many observers reckon the tackle was cynical but never worth a red card
Puzzled viewers at first wondered if Lewis-Skelly was dismissed for denying a clear scoring chance – even though it was so far out.
But a Premier League statement later clarified VAR had checked for “serious foul play” – with referee Michael Oliver’s decision upheld.
Chapman, who will share duties as BBC Match of the Day host, called the decision “baffling and nonsensical from supposedly one of our best referees”.
Beeb 5Live pundit Pat Nevin said labelling such a challenge serious foul play was setting “a bar so low even a limbo dancing snake couldn’t get under it”.
And one fan posted: “I’m all for Arsenal having a beast but that is never ever a red card, one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen.”
Another hit out just as strongly.
He said: “I don’t say this lightly, but I think that red card for Lewis-Skelly is the worst decision I’ve ever witnessed at a football stadium.”
Another observer wrote: “It’s outrageous. If it was close to Arsenal goal or even near the half way line I could maybe accept but that is a terrible decision.”
GettyGunners’ players protested furiously to ref Michael Oliver[/caption]
And one viewer said: “As much as I dislike them (Arsenal)… a horrible decision from the ref! Mad how that’s been given.”
The Prem statement read: “The referee’s call of a red card for Lewis-Skelly was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed his challenge to have been serious foul play.”
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