Howard Webb's Phone Call During Arsenal vs Bournemouth Sparks VAR Debate

On October 21, 2024, during a Premier League match where Arsenal faced Bournemouth, controversy surrounded the red card issued to Arsenal's William Saliba. The match, held on the south coast, ended in disappointment for Arsenal, marking their first defeat of the season. Saliba's dismissal occurred when he challenged an opponent as the last defender, resulting in a red card from the referee, further complicating Arsenal's game. Howard Webb, the chief of referees at the PGMOL, was present in the crowd and was observed using his phone with an earpiece. This led to speculation on social media about whether he was influencing the VAR decision-making process during the match. This situation fueled conspiracy theories regarding his involvement in the officiating of the game. In response to the emerging stories and concerns, the Premier League emphasized that Webb was actually listening to the audio feed from the VAR officials, similar to how broadcasters do during the game. They clarified that he had no direct communication or influence over the decisions being made by the on-field officials. Arsenal had encountered similar issues earlier in the season, with three red cards already issued against them, leading to discussions on their disciplinary actions. Head coach Mikel Arteta expressed frustration but noted he accepted the decision regarding Saliba's sending-off.