The Premier League have issued a statement following a bizarre foul during Brighton vs. Arsenal.
Joao Pedro cancelled out Ethan Nwaneri's first-half opener with a penalty just after the hour mark.
He was adjudged to have been fouled by William Saliba, who accidentally headbutted the Brighton forward inside the box.
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Match referee Anthony Taylor wasted no time in pointing to the spot as he awarded Brighton a penalty, which was converted by Pedro.
Shortly after the incident, the Premier League released a statement, revealing the foul had been checked and confirmed by VAR.
The statement read: "The referee’s call of penalty for a foul by Saliba on João Pedro was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty."
Fans on social media were left divided over Saliba's foul on Pedro.
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One X user wrote: "Just like any other tackle that really. Ball is there to be won, Pedro wins it first and Saliba is late. Correct decision."
A second tweeted: "I’m sorry that’s an incredibly soft penalty. Saliba is attempting to head the ball, and there is the lightest graze of Joao Pedro’s head."
A third argued: "Not sure why there’s complaints about that penalty decision. Saliba heads Joao Pedro and completely misses the ball... Blatant penalty..."
A fourth said: "I called that as a penalty when I saw it. Saliba mistimed and headbutt him. But you don’t really see those given."
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A fifth commented: "Balls in the air to be won. More of a clash of heads if Saliba went down holding his head as well, wouldn’t have been given."
The penalty proved crucial as Brighton grabbed a point against Arsenal, with the fixture ending 1-1.
The Gunners close the gap on league leaders Liverpool - but by just one point.
As for the Seagulls, they climb into the top half of the table in 10th place.
Topics: Fan Reactions, Premier League, William Saliba, Football, Arsenal, Brighton And Hove Albion
Nasir Jabbar