"That's an awful decision" - Premier League legend blasts referee for key decision in Arsenal's win over Leicester City
Alan Shearer has slammed referee Sam Barrott for failing to send off Riccardo Calafiori in Arsenal's win over Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday, September 28. He believes that the Italian defender tripped Facundo Buonanotte while he was already on a yellow card.
Speaking on Premier League productions, Shearer claimed that the referee made a mistake by not brandishing a second yellow card. He believes that the Arsenal man should have been sent off and said (via Metro):
"I think that's an awful decision. You can clearly see Calafiori stick his leg out. It's a deliberate trip. Yellow card that should be. Absolutely. It's such an important point in the game. To rub salt in the wounds, Buonanotte gets a yellow card instead. Look, he sticks his leg out. It's a deliberate trip. All day that is a yellow card."
Arsenal took a 2-0 lead before half time, but Leicester City managed to come back to make 2-2 in the second half through a James Justin brace. However, the Gunners scored twice in injury time to steal all three points with a 4-2 win.
Leicester City manager hits out at referee after Arsenal loss
Leicester City manager Steve Cooper also slammed the referee and stated that the decision changed the game. He believes that the Arsenal defender should have been sent off and added that the decisions were poor from the referee.
Cooper said:
"It's a clear foul on Jamie Vardy for the first goal and the left-back has to get sent off for a second yellow. There's so much more we could say. The whole game knows, but I'm not going down that road today. We were very disappointed with a foul not being given on Vards for the first goal. And although we don't come into games trying to get players sent off, why he hasn't sent off Calafiori is a little bit beyond belief."
"Because of the spell we're in and the spell that I'm in personally, I'm trying to not let referees' decisions be the headline. I'm trying to take responsibility for a team that needs to get better results. But we feel those were two poor decisions."
The result saw the Gunners move to third in the Premier League table, level on points with reigning champions Manchester City. They are a point behind leaders Liverpool and a point ahead of fourth placed Chelsea.