Howard Webb has said referee Michael Oliver was wrong to have shown Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly a red card at Wolves last month.
The defender was controversially sent off just before half-time of Arsenal’s 1-0 win over the Molineux side, having tripped Matt Doherty when the hosts were looking to counter following a corner from the Gunners.
Oliver surprisingly showed the teenager a red card and the decision was confirmed by VAR, with the Premier League’s Match Centre claiming it was deemed “serious foul play.”
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was “absolutely fuming” after the game and Oliver received death threats.
While Arsenal later appealed the decision and subsequently won, Webb insists he does not believe it was a “horrendous” call, albeit while admitting a yellow card would have sufficed.
"From the outset, we would prefer a yellow card in this situation," said Webb.
"I've heard this described as a really horrendous officiating decision. It's not. I understand why the referee saw this on the day as a serious foul-play action."
Arsenal were this week fined £65,000 for their angry protests over the red card, with several of their players furiously surrounding Oliver in animated protest.
An FA statement read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a £65,000 fine on Arsenal in relation to the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday 25 January.
“It was alleged that Arsenal failed to ensure their players did not behave in an improper way around the 43rd minute, and the club subsequently admitted to this charge.”
