Former Premier League referee, Mark Clattenburg, has slammed the “incredibly poor” decision by linesman Scott Ledger, to raise his flag after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalized for Arsenal, in their 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Monday.
Aubameyang netted in the second half to draw his side level at Old Trafford, having seen Scott McTominay put the hosts in the lead before the break.
The Gabonese latched onto a pass from Bukayo Saka and went on to tuck it by chipping it over David de Gea, only to see his celebrations cut short as the assistant referee’s flag was raised.
The incident was checked by VAR and replays showed that United centre-back Harry Maguire, standing in front of the linesman, was playing him onside and the goal was counted.
“The decision to flag Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for offside was an incredibly poor one from assistant referee Scott Ledger, who was perfectly in line and perhaps lost concentration.
“But this is why VAR is so important. Aubameyang was so far onside, it would have been a scandal if Arsenal had not drawn level at Old Trafford.
“Luckily, referee Kevin Friend delayed his whistle because if he had blown it before the ball had gone into the net, he would have had to disallow it.
“Thankfully for Arsenal, he waited, meaning VAR could check and overrule the incorrect call. This was a lesson for all referees in delaying blowing your whistles.
“This can also be a lesson for assistants in delaying raising their flags,” Clattenburg told SportsMail.
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