Arsenal and Newcastle both missed out on penalties it has been decided after the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel ruled on several recent refereeing and VAR decisions
Arsenal and Kai Havertz were denied a penalty against Everton recently
The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel have cited another four refereeing errors in its latest report with Arsenal and Newcastle among the sides negatively impacted.
Mistakes by referees on the pitch and by those operating VAR have risen this season with the latest review taking the number of errors up to 54. At this point last term there had been 44 wrong or missed VAR interventions, or on-field mistakes which did not reach the threshold for a video review.
In the round of matches between 14 and 16 March, BBC Sport have confirmed that the KMI Panel determined that three penalties should have been awarded, although they were satisfied that the VAR was correct not to step in after the fact.
One of those came in Arsenal’s clash with Everton as Michael Keane escaped punishment despite committing a foul on Kai Havertz inside the area. Another was at Chelsea with Reece James getting away with a pull on Newcastle’s Malick Thiaw.
Whilst they’ve been listed as errors neither team ultimately paid the price with Arsenal and Newcastle both picking up the three points. Brentford were another team to miss out on a penalty with Kevin Schade being held by Wolves’ Andre, who ultimately got away with the offence.
READ MORE: Newcastle’s ‘harder and harder’ PSR excuse falls foul after £125m transfer mishapREAD MORE: Dimitar Berbatov shares true thoughts on Man Utd star Benjamin Sesko
The Bees would go on to draw that game, surrendering a two-goal lead. The fourth error spanning that period of games came in the goalless draw at Selhurst Park where an incorrect second yellow card was handed to Leeds’ Gabriel Gudmundsson against Crystal Palace. The offence was not reviewable by VAR, but that will change from next season.
The figures paint a mixed picture for the officials. There have already been as many VAR errors this season (18) as in the whole of the last campaign. But with a quarter of the season still to play, that figure is much lower than the overall total for 2022-23 (38) and 2023-34 (31).
VAR continues to prove hugely divisive, and plenty of pundits believe that the standard of refereeing has dropped as a result with the officials knowing they have the comfort of a safety blanket should they make the wrong decision. Season-on-season there have been more missed VAR interventions (15), on-field errors (25) and incorrect second yellow card decisions (11).
The KMI are yet to rule on the draw between Manchester United and Bournemouth, which saw the referee make three penalty decisions. Two were given, one wasn’t, and afterwards Alan Shearer said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “They (referees) are too reliant on it and it’s affecting the standard of refereeing now, and it’s not a good look.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us – and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
England’s 2026 World Cup kits
England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code: ENGFREEDEL
