Referee Anthony Taylor was again embroiled in controversy.스포츠토토
Man City won 3-1 against Arsenal in the 12th round of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2022-23 season held at Emirates Stadium in London, England at 4:30 am (Korean time) on the 16th. With this victory, the points of the two teams were tied at 51 points, and Manchester City, ahead of the goal difference, took first place in the league.
The controversial scene came in the 39th minute of the first half. Granit Xaka put in an exquisite pass to Eddie Nketia, who was penetrating. Nketia sensibly connected with a shot, but Nathan Ake kicked his body right in front of the goal line and cleared it. The scene that wanted to end with Ake’s lake rain led to a penalty kick (PK).
Referee Taylor declared Ederson a penalty for fouling Nketia. The VAR was not activated, and the match was tied as Bukayo Saka handled the PK calmly. As a result, Man City won, but it was a controversial decision in a game that could decide the direction of the EPL championship this season.
In this regard, the British ‘Sports Bible’ said, “Arsenal’s equalizer against Manchester City after Nketia was fouled by Ederson was divided over the PK debate among fans.”
Opinions are divided even among football experts. Manchester United legend and commentator Gary Neville insisted that “it’s not a PK”, while Blackburn Rovers legend Chris Sutton said it was an “obvious PK” and raised Taylor’s hand.
Referee Taylor also has a bad relationship with Korea, and 10 minutes of extra time were given in the second leg of the group stage between Korea and Ghana at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. South Korea was losing 2-3, but in soccer, a one-goal difference is always unknown.
During extra time, Ghana’s players delayed time, and Korea won a corner kick at a timing that wouldn’t be strange if extra time was played. However, referee Taylor immediately ended the game. At the absurd timing of the end, Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Kim Young-kwon immediately protested. Coach Paulo Bento, who was watching from the bench, also ran to the ground and protested vehemently. The result of the protest was expulsion.
At the time, Bento apologized for his fierce protest, but complained, saying, “It was a moment for which there was a reason. It was an unfair decision. There was no consistency (in the judgment).”