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Tottenham Hotspur legend Gary Lineker has sided with Arsenal, claiming that Brighton shouldn't been given a penalty at the weekend.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, both of their fixtures against Brighton and Hove Albion this season have ended 1-1 but were overshadowed by controversial refereeing calls, which didn't favour Arsenal.
At home, Declan Rice was sent off for kicking the ball away. While this is within the rules, it was a very soft way to exit the game and since then, there have been many identical instances from rival players which were ignored.
Away from home, at the weekend, Arsenal saw themselves concede through an incredibly soft penalty which wouldn't have even been given last week, let alone last season.
William Saliba and Joao Pedro clashed for the ball and while it was a fair duel, the attacker was favoured in the referee's eyes. Therefore, Arsenal conceded to a penalty and this was the reason two points were dropped.
Gary Lineker sides with Arsenal after unjust penalty decision vs Brighton
Speaking on Match of the Day after the match, Tottenham Hotspur legend Gary Lineker explained that he didn't want to see fair clashes for the ball given as penalties as it has never been the case since he's been watching football.
In his own words, Lineker said: "I agree (with not wanting accidental head clashes to be given as penalties). I mean, I've watched football for far too long and I've never seen a penalty given for a clash of heads. It happens in every corner almost."
Unfortunately, this is the sorry state of the game right now. Referees will take any opportunity they can get to intervene with the game. Football is at risk of becoming like it's less successful rival sports in that the game will become too stop-starty.
Well, now that the precedent has been set, we must now hope for the same in every game. Of course, it won't be the case, there will be a clash of heads in many more games and virtually zero of them will be given as a penalty. Who's ready for the yet-again-meaningless "sorry, we messed up"?