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Sporting CP vs Arsenal ref watch: Three decisions Daniel Siebert got wrong

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

07 Apr 2026, 4:40 pm

Daniel Siebert was the man in the middle as Sporting CP and Arsenal clashed in their Champions League quarter-final first leg in Portugal.

Mikel Arteta's side stole a victory on the night, taking the lead via a Kai Havertz strike in the first minute of added time following brilliant work from Gabriel Martinelli on Tuesday, 7 April.

It certainly wasn't a European classic by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a result that the Arsenal manager was celebrating on the touchlines, taking a lead back to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners could have gone behind early in the game, but with Arsenal claiming victory against Sporting late on, the Premier League leaders have the upper hand ahead of the second leg.

HAVERTZZZZZZ!!!!!!

KAI TUCKS IT HOME TO PUT US AHEAD ✊

🟢 0-1 🔵 (90+1) pic.twitter.com/9acnPvO5mF
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 7, 2026

Hidemasa Morita unfairly sanctioned by Daniel Siebert

Just half an hour into the game, Siebert had already made his first mistake, dishing out a booking for Hidemasa Morita, despite the midfielder putting in a textbook challenge on Noni Madueke.

The Japanese international was forced to walk a tightrope for the remainder of the game, but thanks to his maturity, the manager didn't need to replace him before a red card.

Maxi Araujo gets away with murder vs Arsenal

Maxi Araujo was absolutely tormented by Noni Madueke on the night, having to throw himself into challenges on the Arsenal winger, who was filling in for the injured Bukayo Saka.

Stats	Noni Madueke	Maxi Araujo
Fouls committed	0	7
Fouls won	3	1

The England international ran at the right-back for the entire time he was on the pitch, and the only way Sporting's defender could stop him from causing more damage was to foul him.

He continued to illegally stop his opponent, but the referee let him get away with it each time.

Kai Havertz goes unpunished for a slap late on

Luis Suarez was incensed that Sporting weren't awarded a late free-kick after being handed off in the face, and the back-tracking centre-forward certainly had a point.

Kai Havertz used far too much force while trying to defend the ball, and it could have been far more dangerous had Suarez's eyes been involved.

Arsenal

Sporting CP