Babajde Olaitan
Referee Andre Marriner has apologised for sending off Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs by mistake during the Gunners’ 6-0 defeat by league leaders Chelsea.
A statement read that Marriner was “disappointed” to have made the error.
Referees’ body the Professional Game Match Officials Limited said in the statement: “Incidents of mistaken identity are very rare and are often the result of a number of different technical factors.
“Whilst this was a difficult decision, Andre is disappointed that he failed to identify the correct player.
“He expressed his disappointment to Arsenal when he was made aware of the issue.”
Left-back Gibbs seemed confused at receiving the red card, protesting his innocence, along with his team-mates, before leaving the field.
Oxlade-Chamberlain dived to his left to divert the
ball with his fingertips.
Former top-level British and World Cup referee Clive Thomas, who said in 2012 he had lost faith in modern officials, believes the four in charge of Saturday’s game should be banned for the rest of the season.
Marriner was handling the Stamford Bridge clash alongside assistant referees Scott Ledger and Marc Perry, with Anthony Taylor as fourth official.
“It’s the most disgusting, shocking decision I’ve seen.
In my opinion these four wouldn’t officiate another
Premier League game this season,” the 77-year-old
Welshman told BBC Radio 5 live.
Thomas officiated at the 1974 World Cup in West Germany and the tournament in Argentina four years later, where he is remembered for disallowing a Zico headed goal for Brazil in a group game against
Sweden by blowing for full-time while a corner ball was still in mid-air.
Karen Gibbs will miss Arsenal’s next game.
Sportcracker 