Arsenal: Andre Marriner Appears To Show Kieran Gibbs Red By Mistake

Referee Andre Marriner appeared to send off the wrong player when he dismissed Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs in Saturday's Premier League match at Chelsea.

A penalty was awarded after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain tipped Eden Hazard's shot around a post with his hand but Gibbs was shown the red card.

Oxlade-Chamberlain seemed to tell Marriner that he was the culprit but the original decision stood.

Hazard converted the penalty to make it 3-0 before half-time.

Left-back Gibbs seemed confused at receiving the red card, protesting his innocence, along with his team-mates, before leaving the field.

Hazard's shot was heading inches wide of goal before Oxlade-Chamberlain dived to his left to divert the ball with his fingertips.

Marriner appeared to consult one of his assistants before awarding the penalty.

But BBC Radio 5 Live reporter John Southall, at Stamford Bridge, said Marriner has reportedly admitted it was his own mistake.

He said: "One of our colleagues from television has been in at half-time and spoken to referee Andre Marriner, and he has admitted that he made a mistake and sent the wrong player off - Gibbs instead of Oxlade-Chamberlain.

"Originally we thought the linesman may have guided him and told him that it was Gibbs, but Marriner has cleared it up - he says it was his mistake, he got the wrong player and sent him off.

" Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I feel quite sorry or the referee, who didn't see it.

But Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was telling him it was him.

"Use a bit of common sense, surely? They were right to send someone off, it was right to give a penalty, but they just got the wrong man.

" The Football Association tweeted clubs "can appeal mistaken identity, although the FA can pro-actively review also".

In November, Preston had the wrong man sent off against Port Vale in League One.

Striker Joe Garner was suspended retrospectively for three games despite midfielder Neil Kilkenny being shown the red card during the match.

BBC SPORT