To describe it as a “clash of heads” is disingenuous. If the same had happened on the ground, with players’ feet, it would have been a stonewall penalty. Don’t think Taylor had a choice, really.
I don’t agree with you. It’s clear that Saliba headsbutts João Pedro. Accidental clash of heads would be if both jumped straight up and then with an equal movement clashed their heads together.
While I understand Arsenal fans have felt hard done by other calls, this was a correct one.
If it had been ‘on the ground’, Saliba’s touch of the ball (which changes the ball’s trajectory enough) would’ve made it a ‘good challenge’. On top of which, clash-of-heads are usually never given as penalties. What if Saliba had also gone to ground there? That’s the point.
Getting a touch on the ball before the tackle is in no way a carte blanche for a defender. Law 12 actually doesn’t mention the ball at all. In this case, Saliba’s touch was not enough to avoid being penalised for a careless tackle.
Let’s go ahead and completely ignore the fact clash of heads don’t get penalised because no football player actively wants a concussion, show me a penalty which replicates what happened here on the ground that was given. Ill wait. Touch ‘not enough’. Give me break 😄
I’ve explained the difference between a clash of heads and a headbutt, and I’ve referred the relevant part of the IFAB Law. By your logic, Zidane and Materazzi had a head-chest-clash….
Please feel free to show me the relevant part of Law 12 that supports your claim. I’ll wait.
I remember an Arsenal player getting punched in the head by the Inter goalkeeper and nothing was given. But we play by a different set of rules when it comes to Arsenal!!
The rules are always different for keepers, it was a late tackle and he tagged the player in the box, pen all day just like it would have been if it was a regular tackle that was mistimed
Not sure why the complaints? Bizarre situation granted, I wasn’t sure why when it happened, but it’s pretty clear Saliba headbutts Pedro accidentally going for the ball, the only decision the ref could take was penalty
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was an accidental clash of heads?
While I understand Arsenal fans have felt hard done by other calls, this was a correct one.
Please feel free to show me the relevant part of Law 12 that supports your claim. I’ll wait.