Panel Says Timber Should Have Conceded Penalty Against Isak

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel has concluded that Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty against Arsenal after Jurrien Timber held on to Alexander Isak's shirt. The panel voted 4-1 that the spot kick should have been given on the field.

Referee Andy Madley did not point to the spot, and the incident was checked by VAR Stuart Attwell, who cleared it. Replays, however, showed Timber grabbing Isak's shirt as the Liverpool striker was trying to head toward goal. The panel also voted 3-2 that VAR should have intervened.

Timber avoided a red card. The panel was unanimous that his challenge did not warrant one for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity, even though Isak was unable to get his header away because of the hold.

The verdict adds to the ongoing debate over how consistently officials and VAR handle clear fouls inside the box, especially when a player is held rather than knocked over.