Many Arsenal supporters expressed their anger on social media after Leandro Trossard received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away in their 2-2 draw with Manchester City, especially since Cityโs Jeremy Doku faced no punishment for a similar act.
This incident led fans to question the inconsistency in officiating, as Doku nudged the ball away while Arsenal was preparing for a free kick but avoided a booking.
The disparity prompted criticism from Arsenal fans regarding the refereeโs judgment.
The key question became: why was Doku not penalized while Trossard was sent off?
Referee Michael Oliver later clarified his decision, explaining that Doku was simply returning the ball to its rightful position, not trying to waste time.
In this light, Dokuโs actions were viewed as contributing to the gameโs pace, unlike Trossardโs intentional kick of the ball away after the whistle for Cityโs free kick, which was seen as time-wasting.
This led Oliver to issue Trossard a second yellow card for unsporting behavior, resulting in his ejection just before halftime, leaving Arsenal at a numerical disadvantage.
The distinction between the two incidents ultimately rested on intent: Dokuโs action was perceived as helping the game, whereas Trossardโs was interpreted as a deliberate attempt to delay play.
While Arsenal fans remain frustrated by the perceived unevenness in officiating, Oliverโs decisions were based on his interpretation of each playerโs intent.
Dokuโs action was seen as a minor infraction that didnโt warrant a card, while Trossardโs clear attempt to waste time forced the refereeโs hand.
Despite the controversy surrounding Trossardโs red card, the match ended in a thrilling draw, sparking ongoing discussions among fans about the fairness of the officiating.