Exclusive: Ex-PGMOL boss reviews ‘ironic’ Evanilson goal as Bournemouth beat Arsenal
Keith Hackett has lauded VAR official Michael Salisbury after Evanilson’s goal was allowed to stand in Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that there was “no conclusive evidence” to rule out the Brazilian’s winner despite several replays being shown after the goal.
Goals from Declan Rice and Dean Huijsen set up quite the final 20 minutes at the Emirates Stadium, with the Gunners still fighting to secure Champions League qualification and Europe on the cards for the Cherries.
Evanilson, whose suspension had only just been overturned for Bournemouth following a red card against Man United, eventually scored the winner on Saturday, 3 May, and Hackett has reviewed the controversial situation.
Evanilson nets controversial winner against Arsenal
With the striker tussling with Martin Odegaard at the back post, replays appeared to show the ball deflecting off the former’s body and into the back of the net.
VAR attempted to determine whether the ball had struck his arm or a legal part of his body, but after several minutes it was still unclear, so the goal was allowed to stand at the Emirates.
The technology is often slammed, as it was when Evanilson was sent off against Man United, but Salisbury was rightly commended for checking the incident carefully and coming to a sensible conclusion.
Of course, Arsenal fans will argue against the decision, with their team now at risk of losing second place in the Premier League table, but this is not an incident of VAR being criticised.
Michael Salisbury applauded over VAR check on Bournemouth winner
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the controversial goal, the former referee said:
“I have studied the various angles on this goal and the involvement of the goalscorer, Evanilson. It was right that the goal was checked carefully by the VAR, Michael Salisbury.
“There is no conclusive evidence that the ball was handed before it went into the goal. The outcome, therefore, was the correct decision.
“It’s pretty ironic that the goalscorer was wrongly sent off last week and, after an appeal, was allowed to play in this game and scored.