Peter Bankes raised eyebrows when he adjudged Randal Kolo Muani to have fouled Gabriel Magalhaes during the North London Derby
Keith Hackett believes Tottenham Hotspur were unfortunate to have a goal disallowed in the North London Derby. Randal Kolo Muani thought he had levelled proceedings for a second time on Sunday evening, but his effort was chalked off for an alleged foul on Gabriel Magalhaes in the build-up.
As the Spurs striker latched onto a deflected cross from Conor Gallagher, he ever so lightly prodded the Arsenal defender, who at this stage still had two feet planted on the turf, in the back with two hands. Gabriel proceeded to jump in the air and dramatically flail his hands above his head.
The Brazil international fell to the ground as if he had been pushed while airborne, and Peter Bankes awarded the Gunners a free-kick. The Video Assistant Referee, Darren England, and his assistant, Timothy Wood, confirmed the on-field decision from Stockley Park, and Kolo Muani's goal was ruled out.
The decision raised eyebrows, knowing that Hugo Ekitike went unpunished for a similar incident with Cristian Romero earlier in the season. Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett suggested that Bankes was deceived by Gabriel's theatrics.
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"What the referee has to decide is whether the Arsenal player is backing in. What makes it so stupid in this situation is that we see grappling going unpunished, but something as soft as this is punished.
"No wonder spectators are confused by the quality of these decisions. The player is backing in with the intention of achieving exactly what he’s achieved."
The former FIFA referee and PGMOL chief added: "A push starts with a bent arm, and it straightens – that’s a push. Here, we have a straight arm, and the player is using a degree of balance while maintaining space."
Dermot Gallagher and Jay Bothroyd also reviewed the incident on Sky Sports. The former, who officiated nearly 400 games in the Premier League, said: "The referee gives it.
"The on-field decision is always going to stand, he thinks there is enough of a push. VAR is never going to say he's got it wrong as the evidence is there."
Meanwhile, the latter, who played 598 times before hanging up his boots in 2022, said: "I thought it was really soft. When you look at the trajectory of the ball, Gabriel is underneath the ball, and he realises he is in that position.
"It is not enough to react in the way he did. He has fooled the referee."
The decision could prove costly at the end of the season, with Arsenal gunning for the title and Tottenham fighting for survival. Mikel Arteta's side went on to restore their lead at the top of the Premier League, while the Lilywhites failed to distance themselves from a relegation battle.