Arsenal complains to refereeing body over harsh treatment against Bukayo Saka

Arsenal has lodged a complaint to the refereeing body, PGMOL, over the harsh treatment of its winger Bukayo Saka.

The football club wants better treatment for Saka who came in third on the list of most fouled players in 2023 in the English Premier League (EPL).

Arsenal argued that a referee should issue a yellow card to an offender after the first strong foul on Saka, rather than wait for a second infringement.

According to the Daily Mail, in 2023, Saka was on the receiving end of 87 fouls. Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace took the lead with 117 fouls while Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes came second with 92.

The accumulation of these incidents is believed to be what caused Arsenal to raise concerns about Saka’s treatment where opponents are free to clatter the winger without an initial punishment in Premier League matches.

The matter was brought up as part of a conversation earlier this season with the league’s refereeing body. The dialogue happens between all clubs and the body.

As the Daily Mail reports, in February last year Arteta warned 22-year-old Saka that he could not  rely on referees to protect him from rough treatment.

‘He needs to learn when to take certain balls, what to do with that ball, how to use his body, when to jump. There are a lot of things we can train but obviously it is very difficult to understand what the opponent is going to do.”

Arsenal currently holds the fourth position on the EPL table with 40 points, five points behind leaders Liverpool who have 45 points.

Diehard Arsenal fans were disappointed when the team failed to close 2023 at the top of the table after losing their last two consecutive matches against Fullham and Westham.

What is PGMOL?

PGMOL stands for Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

It is the body responsible for overseeing match officials, including referees and their assistants, in English professional football.

Established in 2001, its role is to ensure consistency, quality, and high standards in match officiating throughout English football leagues.