• Premier League

Oxlade-Chamberlain twice told blunder ref he was wrong

ESPN staff
March 24, 2014
Blues batter Arsenal

Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain reportedly told referee Andre Marriner twice that he had sent off the wrong player when he red carded Kieran Gibbs at Stamford Bridge.

With his side already trailing Chelsea 2-0 after 15 minutes, Oxlade-Chamberlain handled from Eden Hazard's shot in the penalty area but Marriner blamed Gibbs and sent off the defender instead.

The official told friends he is devastated over the incident, according to the Daily Mail, as he waited to find out whether he would be stood down for next weekend's Premier League games.

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The referee admitted his mistake and apologised to Arsenal, who went on to lose 6-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Oxlade-Chamberlain first told Marriner: "Ref, it was me." According to the Sun, the player was then asked if he had handled the ball and replied: "I was the man on the line."

Marriner refused to budge though and appeared to say: "I think I've sent off the wrong man."

The Sun also report that fourth official Anthony Taylor was told by the Arsenal bench that Marriner - who could have changed his mind up until play re-started - was sending off the wrong man.

Arsenal are set to appeal the dismissal with Arsene Wenger calling the incident an "injustice". He said: "The referee made a mistake because he missed the identity of the player. He has not seen what happened at all.

"Maybe it was a penalty - but it was not Gibbs. You would not like to see him suspended because he has done nothing.

"That would be the first injustice as he has been sent off, then on top of that he would be suspended. Of course that would be wrong."

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