Overview
- Peter Bankes said he saw two hands in Gabriel’s back and judged the contact a clear push, leading him to rule out Randal Kolo Muani’s finish.
- He explained on Match Officials Mic’d Up that he delayed the whistle until after the ball crossed the line to allow a VAR check, then confirmed he remained satisfied on review.
- The VAR upheld the decision, with former referee Dermot Gallagher noting video showed a push and that the on-field call did not meet the clear‑and‑obvious error standard.
- Newly released audio shows Bankes telling Tottenham captain Micky van de Ven, “The on-field decision is a foul,” and, “It is a clear foul, end of.”
- The incident came with Arsenal 2-1 up in a derby they won 4-1, drawing criticism from former referees’ chief Keith Hackett and frustration from Spurs supporters who viewed the call as soft.