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Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has torn into match officials and VAR following a controversial decision during Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Sunderland, insisting Brian Brobbey should have been sent off for a dangerous first-half challenge.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-FIFA referee said the incident was on par with the tackle that saw Tottenham defender Cristian Romero dismissed earlier the same day, questioning why the same standards were not applied. Hackett believes the failure to produce a red card highlighted yet another glaring inconsistency in VAR decision-making.
Arsenal eased to a comfortable win at the Emirates thanks to a Martin Zubimendi opener and a second-half brace from Viktor Gyokeres, a result that pushed Mikel Arteta’s side nine points clear of Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League. However, Hackett argued the contest could — and should — have been made far more straightforward had Sunderland been reduced to ten men before the break.
The flashpoint came in the 40th minute when Brobbey lunged into a 50/50 challenge with Zubimendi. Although the Sunderland forward clearly attempted to win the ball, replays showed him planting the studs of his boot into the Arsenal midfielder’s shin. Despite the force and danger involved, referee Sam Barrott opted to show only a yellow card.
Brobbey, known for his aggressive and combative style, had already scored against Arsenal in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, but Hackett believes he was fortunate to remain on the pitch this time. In his view, the tackle crossed the line from physical into reckless — the type of challenge that should result in an immediate dismissal under current laws of the game.
The decision has once again fuelled debate around VAR’s role and consistency, with Hackett pointing to the Romero red card as clear evidence that Brobbey’s challenge warranted the same punishment.
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