Gibbs and Oxlade-Chamberlain Escape FA Punishment
By Oladunjoye Opeyemi
Arsenal Football Club has successfully appealed the inappropriate sending off of Kieran Gibbs in last Saturday’s Premier League match against Chelsea.
The club also gained a major advantage as the main culprit of the handball offence, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also escaped punishment.
Gibbs was wrongfully sent off by referee, Andre Marriner after Oxlade-Chamberlain had handled Eden Hazard’s curling shot which appeared to be going out for a goal kick. In a rare case of mistaken identity, Kieran Gibbs was sent off instead of Chamberlain and a penalty kick was awarded.
The English Football Association has called off any punishment for the duo after adjudging that Hazard’s strike was sailing away from the goalpost before Chamberlain handled it.
“An Independent Regulatory Commission today heard two claims from Arsenal, one of mistaken identity and the other of wrongful dismissal, both in relation to Saturday’s game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
“The commission ruled that the dismissal of Kieran Gibbs was a case of mistaken identity and transferred this to his team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
“Subsequent to deciding this matter, the commission then considered Arsenal’s claim for wrongful dismissal in relation to Oxlade-Chamberlain. This claim was upheld, meaning Oxlade-Chamberlain will not serve any suspension with the standard punishment withdrawn with immediate effect,” the FA Statement read.
Despite the embarrassing mistake, Referee Andre Marriner has escaped demotion and will be in charge of the Newcastle Southampton game this weekend.
With the FA’s decision both Kieran Gibbs and Oxlade Chamberlain will be available for Arsenal against Swansea on Tuesday evening.