Martin Keown Slams ‘Ridiculous’ VAR Process After Havertz Penalty Controversy

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown strongly criticized the VAR process after Kai Havertz was denied a penalty in Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Hull City. Referee Farai Hallam reviewed Nobel Mendy's shirt pull on Havertz at the pitchside monitor and acknowledged the holding offense, but the penalty was not awarded because Havertz stood in an offside position. Speaking on talkSPORT, Keown labeled the sequence "ridiculous," arguing officials should have settled the offside check before sending the referee to the monitor.

BBC rules expert Dale Johnson argued Arsenal should have received a spot-kick because Havertz was not actively involved before being fouled. Despite the controversy, Mikel Arteta's team claimed three points courtesy of Martin Ødegaard's 72nd-minute winning goal.