Premier League's KMI Panel says Myles Lewis-Skelly's dismissal was incorrect
The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel voted unanimously that referee Michael Oliver's decision to send off Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly in their recent victory at Wolves was incorrect.
The video assistant referee for the Premier League game on January 25, Darren England, also made an incorrect call by not to requesting that Oliver should review the incident, according to the KMI Panel findings seen by the PA news agency.
Lewis-Skelly tripped Wolves defender Matt Doherty to prevent a counter-attack and was shown a straight red card, with Oliver's decision upheld by VAR.
The decision was heavily criticised by pundits and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after the match, while Oliver and his family have been subjected to threats and abuse since the incident.
The KMI Panel said in its summary and review of the incident: 'The on-field red card decision was deemed incorrect (5:0).
'A cynical trip to stop a counter-attack. The initial point of contact is high on the shin, but not forceful and with the side of the boot.
'This initial contact moves down quickly to the foot, meaning this foul should only result in a yellow card for a reckless challenge.'
On VAR's handling of the incident, the KMI Panel added: 'The panel deemed the VAR's decision to not recommend a review incorrect (4:1).
'As the challenge doesn't meet the considerations for serious foul play as there is no evidence of speed, force or full contact.
'One panellist felt this was not a clear and obvious error and supported the no VAR intervention as 'this should remain the referee's call'.'
Following the match at Molineux, which Arsenal won 1-0, Oliver was subjected to what his employer Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) described as 'abhorrent attacks' directed at him and his family.
Referee support group The Ref Support UK said it feared 'even worse is just around the corner' and that comments from players and coaches are fuelling the abuse officials face.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal eye three strikers as Viktor Gyokeres stance emerges after Man Utd snub
Arsenal are working hard behind the scenes in their bid to sign an elite striker and have done work on potential deals for top targets Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko Arsenal are staging their own 'beauty pageant' as they are actively pursuing deals for both Viktor Gyökeres AND Benjamin Sesko. While they do not plan to sign two strikers, Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is keeping his options open and has held advanced discussions over both players. They are also not ruling out a move on other targets as Aston Villa 's Ollie Watkins is still on the radar after a January switch fell down. They have also previously been linked with Alexander Isak and Julian Alvarez but Gyökeres and Sesko are the two most likely targets. Mirror Football revealed on June 6 that Gyökeres prefers a move to Arsenal ahead of any other club despite interest from Manchester United as well as teams in Spain and Italy. Gyökeres, 27, has been locked in a dispute with Sporting Lisbon with the Portuguese club angrily denying there was a 'gentleman's agreement' to allow the Sweden striker to leave for £60m. Sporting president Frederico Varandas accused Gyökeres's agent of 'playing games' over the price and there is now a bitter stand-off developing. That may be a key factor in the stand-off because Arsenal are having to weigh up several options in their pursuit of a new No9 - and price is a major factor. Sesko, 22, could potentially be allowed to leave RB Leipzig for £60m-plus and the Slovenian was close to joining Arsenal last summer before deciding to stay in Germany for one more year. There has been interest in Sesko from other clubs - Bayern Munich have been the latest to be linked - but Arsenal put in a lot of groundwork last year and Gunners boss Arteta is a big admirer of his potential. It should not be overlooked that Mikel Arteta still rates Kai Havertz incredibly highly as a forward, as a player and also for his versatility. Gyökeres is older, could be more ready to hit the ground running now and has been prolific for Sporting but it is the Portuguese league and the ex-Brighton and Coventry striker could be a gamble. He is more of a classic centre forward. Sesko is quick, tall and has huge potential while his attributes also mean that he could work with Havertz. He has big growth as a player and even looks similar to Isak in some regards. Watkins would be keen on a switch to Arsenal. It is an unusual approach to keep different players in the mix but Berta has a strong reputation and is under big pressure to deliver the right striker. A big factor for Arsenal is being able to land a top name striker but also have more money to spend on other targets with Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi set to arrive for £51m. But one player unlikely to be going is Riccardo Calafiori after AC Milan made an enquiry - but they were rebuffed by Arsenal and the Italy defender also wants to stay in London. That is why AC Milan are now pursuing a move for Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko who would be allowed to leave this summer. Zinchenko, 28, has one year left on his current deal and wages are still a sticking point but AC Milan are ready to push to get the deal done. They have also previously been interested in Arsenal's Jakub Kiwior but his impressive end to the campaign may mean the Gunners want him to stay. Zinchenko has become surplus to requirements after losing his guaranteed starting place and his £200,000-a-week plus wages will also help Arsenal begin a summer reshuffle. They have been linked with Ajax's Jorrel Hato but also want to get some players out to allow them to bring in new squad additions.
Daily Mail
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Alejandro Garnacho 'makes decision over his future' as £70m-rated winger looks for Man United exit after falling out with Ruben Amorim
Alejandro Garnacho has decided which league he wants to play his football next season, according to reports, as he continues a search away from Manchester United. The Argentine winger is set to leave United after being dropped from the starting line-up for the team's Europa League final defeat by Tottenham last month. Alejandro subsequently branded United's season 's***', while his agent brother claimed he had been 'thrown under the bus' by manager Ruben Amorim. Mail Sport revealed last month that Amorim responded to Garnacho's comments by telling him to find a new club in front of his team-mates at United's training ground. There is no lack of interest in Garnacho, but he is unlikely to leave the Red Devils on the cheap with United slapping a £70m price-tag on the 20-year-old. The hefty sum has already deterred Bayer Leverkusen, according to reports, however that might not comes as an issue to Garnacho - who is looking to remain in England. According to Fabrizio Romano, Garnacho's 'priority' is to stay in the Premier League. Mail Sport understand that Chelsea, Aston Villa and Tottenham are all keeping tabs on the winger. Napoli also have eyes on the Argentine, as they look to build on their title-winning campaign in 2024-25. Last month, Garnacho was brutally warned by Amorim that he needs to 'pray' he can find a new club in front of team-mates. Tensions skyrocketed after the Argentina international hit out at his boss for benching him in their Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. The Red Devils went on to lose 1-0, with Garnacho only featuring for 20 minutes from bench and the Argentine failed to hide his frustration with Amorim as he admitted it had been a 's***' season for the club. His agent brother then added fuel to the fire by posting on Instagram that the winger had been 'thrown under the bus' by the Portuguese boss. Garnacho is viewed as one of United's sellable assets this summer given his age, while he also still has three years remaining on his contract. Amorim wants a major squad overhaul, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho also in line to follow Garnacho out the exit door. Christian Eriksen, Johnny Evans and Victor Lindelof all left the club at the end of last season after not being offered new deals. Meanwhile, United have already made one signing this summer after they completed a £62.5m deal for Matheus Cunha on the opening day of the transfer window. The Red Devils are also pursuing Bryan Mbeumo and Viktor Gyokeres as Amorim bids to bolster his attacking options. Mbeumo and Gyokeres could both cost in excess of £60m, meaning United need to raise funds in sales, and Garnacho could bring in a significant transfer fee.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Man Utd push to sign Liverpool and Chelsea targets after Gyokeres picks Arsenal
Manchester United are ready to turn to two strikers after being rejected by their No. 1 transfer target Viktor Gyokeres. Gyokeres emerged as Ruben Amorim's first-choice target but has reportedly told the Red Devils he will not be heading to Old Trafford this summer. Portuguese outlet Record claim Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 appearances last season, has instead decided he wants to move to Arsenal. The Gunners have also been heavily linked with Gyokeres as they look to add some much-needed firepower to Mikel Arteta's squad. Arsenal have repeatedly challenged for the Premier League title under Arteta and reached the Champions League semi-finals last season before being beaten by eventual winners PSG. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Manchester United, in stark contract, finished just 15th last season, failing to qualify for any European competition next season. With Arsenal in pole position to sign Gyokeres, 27, Amorim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have been forced to consider alternative targets for the No. 9 position. According to the Daily Mirror, United have 'already started' looking at other options and are ready to ramp up their interest in Hugo Ekitike. Ekitike, 22, just enjoyed a breakout season for Eintracht Frankfurt, attracting interest from United's Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea. The issue for all potential Ekitike suitors is his steep asking price, with Frankfurt asking for around £84m for a player yet to earn a cap for France. The Premier League clubs are hoping Frankfurt will lower their asking price for Ekitike. However, the German club appear ready to stand firm on that valuation, with sporting director Markus Krosche insisting they do not have to sell Ekitike this summer. 'If the price isn't right, then he'll just stay with us,' he told Wiesbadener Kurier last week. 'We don't have to sell Hugo.' Another option for Manchester United, according to The Sun, is Victor Osimhen. Osimhen, 26, is set to be sold by Napoli after spending last season on loan at Turkish champions Galatasaray. The Nigerian, who almost joined Chelsea last summer, has rejected a move to Saudi Arabia as he wants to continue playing at the top level in Europe. More Trending United are known admirers of Osimhen and are reportedly open to using Joshua Zirkzee in a deal to bring him to Manchester. Before Gyokeres informed Manchester United that he favoured a move to Arsenal, Alan Shearer backed the Red Devils to secure his signature. 'On Viktor Gyokeres, I'm not surprised at all if they get him because of his work with Sporting and Ruben Amorim before, I think that was always going to be the case,' the ex-England striker told Betfair. While searching for a new striker, Manchester United are also looking to wrap up a deal for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo amid competition from Thomas Frank's Tottenham. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Tottenham transfers: Spurs plotting to hijack Manchester United's bid for Bryan Mbeumo and chasing fellow Bees star Yoane Wissa MORE: Edwin van der Sar tells Ruben Amorim to give under-fire Man Utd duo another chance MORE: Why are Liverpool not in the Club World Cup and Chelsea are?
