Arsenal fans flocked to social media to complain at refereeing inconsistencies following the decision to not send Hakim Ziyech off during Tottenham's Premier League clash against Chelsea.
Blues playmaker Ziyech received a red card during the latter stages of the first half before referee Stuart Atwell reversed his decision after consulting the on-pitch monitor. The Moroccan international had initially given away a free-kick for a push on a Spurs player and the former Ajax man then caught Emerson Royal in the face with a stray hand during some back-and-forth between the two sets of players.
Ziyech received a straight red card but Atwell eventually reversed his decision, with it appearing that the official had adjudged the push in the face to not be violent conduct, with the initial contact appearing to be on the Tottenham defender's arm. However, Arsenal supporters were quick to point out an incident involving Gabriel Martinelli during their match against Wolves last season.
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Martinelli received his marching orders for two yellow cards following a pair of quick-fire fouls in one passage of play. The Gunners faithful argued that Ziyech's initial foul and subsequent shove were extremely similar, criticising the officiating inconsistencies in the English top flight.
Here is what a select few on Twitter said:
@Ghost4928 : "Martinelli would’ve received 2 yellows in that passage. 1st yellow for the tackle, 2nd yellow for the push."
@trev14_ : "Martinelli gets a yellow for the foul, then a second yellow for the face push."
@_blancbandana : "Y’all gave Martinelli 2 yellows in a single phase of play last year. That’s crazy."
@benjamintosman : "The Martinelli rule? That's only for Arsenal players.."
@ivandwisamudra : "remember when Martinelli got two successive yellow card...... great consistency @FA_PGMOL."
@tlamatini_B : "Martinelli once got a double yellow card. And ziyech came out with just a yellow from all that?"
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