Webb responds after Arsenal ask for referee standards to be "urgently addressed"

14 November 2023 , 21:31

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Howard Webb faced the music on Tuesday (Image: Premier League Productions)

Howard Webb has confirmed PGMOL are "open-minded" and want to be "more accurate" after Arsenal's remarkable statement demanding for refereeing standards to improve.

The Gunners were furious after their 1-0 loss against Newcastle at St James' Park earlier this month. Mikel Arteta described the standard of refereeing as "embarrassing" and a "disgrace" after Anthony Gordon's controversial winner was allowed to stand.

VAR official Andy Madley checked to see if the ball went out of play during the build up to the goal. He was also concerned about a possible foul by Newcastle's Joelinton on Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes and offside, but Gordon's strike was allowed to stand.

Webb has stood by the decision to award the goal but has confirmed refereeing body PGMOL will try to improve. Arsenal released a statement after Arteta's comments in support of their manager and called for refereeing standards to be "urgently addressed".

Webb faced the music in the latest episode of Match Officials: Mic'd Up and insists the PGMOL are open to introducing semi-automated offsides in the Premier League. He said: "We're open-minded to all technologies that make us more accurate and make us more efficient," said Webb while reviewing an incident involving Manchester United and Fulham.

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The PGMOL chief added: "We're doing some testing behind-the-scenes, we'll see how that goes. We're keeping a close eye on other competitions, and we'll take a decision in terms of the best way to go forward with that."

Webb's pledge comes after Arsenal's statement. The Gunners were criticised for their statement, which "wholeheartedly" supported Arteta's strong post-match interview and slammed "yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors".

Arsenal insisted "PGMOL urgently needs to address the standard of officiating and focus on action which moves us all on from retrospective analysis, attempted explanations and apologies". They want to work Webb to achieve "world-class officiating standards".

The controversial game between Newcastle and Arsenal was a huge talking point on Match Officials: Mic'd Up (Getty Images)

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Arteta isn't the only manager to complain to PGMOL. Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has spoken to Webb after several controversial decisions went against his team. O'Neil has described the conversation as "a very open one around trying to improve things".

Webb has admitted Joelinton's challenge on Gabriel "could" or "might" have been a foul, but the goal was allowed to stand because it wasn't a "clear error". He's also confirmed Arsenal were lucky not to have Kai Havertz sent off at St James' Park.

Havertz lunged recklessly into Sean Longstaff during the first half of the Premier League game but was only booked. Webb also believes Newcastle should've been reduced to 10 players after Bruno Guimaraes' arm hit the side of Jorginho's head.

Webb said: "A couple of situations, that in the cold-light-of-day analysis that we go through, going forward, we would expect red cards in both of those situations."

Tom Blow