Call for Premier League rule to be scrapped after Arsenal beat Newcastle with Gunners star unfairly punished
During his commentary of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle on Sunday, former Manchester United player Gary Neville called for the Premier League to abandon one of its regulations.
The match was heated and saw Arsenal emerge victorious thanks to goals from Martin Odegaard and Fabian Schar’s own goal. However, there were contentious moments during the game.
During the match, both teams engaged in a fair amount of gamesmanship, and players frequently clashed with each other.
As the game was drawing to a close, Arsenal substitute Eddie Nketiah tried to keep possession of the ball near the corner flag to prevent Newcastle from scoring and potentially creating a tense finale.
However, Nketiah was tackled by Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier, causing him to react angrily, particularly towards Schar.
The two players had to be separated by their teammates. Gary Neville believed that Nketiah was unfairly punished as he felt that Schar initiated the altercation.
“I have a theory on these ones,” Neville said on commentary as he reacted to the incident. “If Schar pushes Nketiah which he does, he should get booked and Nketiah shouldn’t. If someone pushes you, you’re entitled to push them back. The instigator should be the one that gets booked.”
Neville was met with plenty of support on social media for his view, as many agreed that a player retaliating should not be given the same punishment as the instigator. On Twitter, @AFCLawsey wrote: “Actually agree with Gary Neville, you shouldn’t be getting booked for pushing back.”
Gary Neville talking a lot of sense here…. #CUFC pic.twitter.com/gzRSUdgmHc
— JonnyCook (@LowryhillBlue) May 7, 2023
While @KingsOkol1 added: “Gary Neville is 100 per cent right. I’ve said it before but referees need to stop booking both parties whenever there’s an altercation, it’s so lazy.”
@AmyDolphin87 was another to hold the same view as the former United defender. “I agree with Gary Neville there,” they wrote. “When [a] player pushes another player, & that pushes back. The instigator should be booked. As if someone pushes you, your gonna push back.”
Call for Premier League rule to be scrapped after Arsenal beat Newcastle with Gunners star unfairly punished