Arsenal did indeed lose the top of the Premier League two days ago after surrendering to Manchester United, but one of the reasons for this was still in the cycle before. The Gunners then drew 1-1 with Brentford, when Ivan Toney’s equalizer should have been disallowed for a foul. Now, the VAR is paying the price.
The League Referees Association has announced that 51-year-old Shelley Mason will not referee in the Premier League, in what was described as a “mutually agreed” departure. As I recall, Mason forgot to check if Brentford’s Christian Norgor was in the offside during Toney’s equaliser, which ultimately cost Arsenal two precious points in the title race.
Arsenal manager Mikel Artetasaid yesterday on the subject: “I appreciate the sincere apologies, but it does not take away from the fact that we have two points less. Everyone makes mistakes, but this was something else. We felt enormous anger and disappointment, because it was not a human error, it was a big misunderstanding of your work. It’s unacceptable, I’m sorry. It cost Arsenal two points, we’ll have to find those two points elsewhere in the league.’
Tomorrow (Saturday, 2.30pm), Arsenal will get a chance to regain those points when they host Aston Villa at Villa Park, with the chance to climb at least temporarily to top spot, before Manchester City take on Nottingham Forest.
PGMOL Statement: Lee Mason pic.twitter.com/u06YKeDx5S
—PGMOL (@FA_PGMOL) February 17, 2023