FA gives verdict on Richarlison’s ‘dive’ against Arsenal

A Football Association panel has decided that Watford forward, Richarlison, did not dive to win a penalty against Arsenal in their 2-1 win at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

Richarlison will therefore face no action for simulation.

The Brazilian went down when challenged by Hector Bellerin, to earn the second-half spot-kick from which Troy Deeney made it 1-1.

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, said the decision to give the penalty was “scandalous,” but the FA simulation panel ruled that the Watford player did not have a case to answer.

Writing in The Times, former Premier League referee, Mark Clattenburg, had argued that Richarlison should not be punished.

“Richarlison did not dive to win Watford a penalty against Arsenal.

“It was the correct decision to award the penalty as there was contact between him and Hector Bellerin that wasn’t initiated by the forward,” Clattenburg noted.

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