Premier League icon Alan Shearer has launched a scathing attack on Video Assistant Referee officials Michael Oliver and John Brooks, following a controversial and game-changing decision in Arsenal's narrow 3-2 win over arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The Match of the Day pundit did not hold back in his assessment of the pivotal moment in the first half of a pulsating North London derby. With the score at 3-0 to the visitors, Spurs' Brazilian striker Richarlison appeared to be clearly fouled by Arsenal's Declan Rice inside the penalty area. Referee Michael Oliver initially pointed to the spot, but after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was shockingly overturned.
"It is a penalty. I cannot believe, I cannot believe that this has been overturned," an incredulous Shearer stated on BBC Radio 5 Live. "There is minimal contact, but there is contact. For the VAR to ask the referee to go to the screen and overturn it is, I think, a really poor decision."
Shearer, the Premier League's all-time top goalscorer, emphasised that the incident met all the criteria for a spot-kick, making the reversal utterly baffling. The controversial call denied Tottenham a golden opportunity to claw their way back into the match at a crucial juncture.
The drama didn't end there for the Gunners' defence. Shearer also pinpointed another moment where Arsenal's Ben White could have easily conceded a second penalty for a clumsy challenge on Son Heung-min, further highlighting a frustrating afternoon for the officiating team.
Despite the controversy, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal held on to secure a vital three points in the Premier League title race. The win, however, will be fiercely debated due to the major intervention from the VAR room, a decision that has left one of English football's most respected voices in a state of disbelief.
