Bernardo Silva criticizes refereeing decisions following dramatic 2-2 draw against Arsenal
Bernardo Silva criticizes refereeing decisions following dramatic 2-2 draw against Arsenal. In a thrilling encounter that concluded with a dramatic equalizer, Bernardo Silva did not hold back in his post-match analysis, criticizing the officiating that marred Manchester City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal. The match, which featured intense moments and crucial decisions, left the City midfielder frustrated, particularly in light of events that unfolded during the first half.
Silva noted that the early moments of the game set the tone for what was to follow, highlighting an incident where City Midfielder, Rodri sustained an injury after being fouled twice within the first 10 minutes. “In the first action, we realized what was going to happen,” Silva remarked, emphasizing the impact of the referee’s decisions.
The Portuguese international pointed out a controversial goal conceded by City, where he claimed that the referee’s decision to call the captain over disrupted the team’s defensive organisation. “He didn’t allow him to recover his position,” Silva explained, suggesting that this led directly to Arsenal’s first goal.
He further criticized the officiating regarding Arsenal’s second goal, stating it was “allowed by the referee” despite a clear obstruction of the City goalkeeper, Ederson. Silva conveyed his disappointment with the ongoing issues surrounding time-wasting during matches, asserting, “The referee allowed a sequence of time-wasting events.”
Expressing his frustration at the Football Association’s (FA) promises to address these concerns, Silva pointed out, “They tell us they will control this kind of situation and will stop them, but in the end, it doesn’t have any worth. They say a lot but nothing happens.”
The encounter concluded with a late equalizer from John Stones in the 98th minute, salvaging a point for City. However, the discussion surrounding refereeing standards and match officiating is likely to remain a hot topic in the aftermath of this contentious fixture. As the season progresses, both players and fans alike will be watching closely to see if the FA can deliver on its promises for improved officiating in future matches.
