Head coach Marco Silva has been joined by Andrew Robertson in saying that match day referee Mark Clattenburg apologised after the Arsenal game for not disallowing their opening goal.
Arsenal took the lead at the Emirates Stadium through Alexis Sanchez’s hand in the 34th minute and it wasn’t the only decision to go against us on the day as few could’ve argued had Kieron Gibbs been shown red for his challenge on Lazar Markovic.
Addressing the topic of the handball on the day though, the Independent.ie have both Silva and Robertson talking about the apology they received for Clattenburg’s decision – along with the assistant referee they just weren’t positive the handball had been deliberate when they spoke.
Silva himself said briefly.
‘Referee Mark Clattenburg apologised to my players for giving the handball goal from Sanchez.’
Robertson was a bit more fullsome with his words, explaining.
‘The referee has apologised to us about the first goal because he’s seen it was a hand ball. He wasn’t sure at the time. At the end of the day the decisions don`t go for you when you come to these big stadiums and that`s killed us because you see the way we were after half time.’
He went on to say.
‘He said he wasn`t 100 per cent sure, obviously we can argue he shouldn`t have given the goal but he can argue he should have. Not many referees admit they`re wrong. It’s good but it doesn`t make it any better.’
