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Newcastle United have condemned racist abuse sent to Joe Willock and Bruno Guimaraes on social media following their 1-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday evening.
Willock was responsible for keeping the ball in play before crossing for the only goal of the game, while Guimaraes was arguably lucky to have avoided a sending off for an elbow on Jorginho in the first half.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was vocal in his criticism after the match, but it now appears that some people crossed the line with their anger directed at Newcastle players on social media platforms.
‘Our message is clear. There is no room for racism in football or society.’
Newcastle United have condemned racist abuse sent to two of their players on social media
Joe Willock (L) and Bruno Guimaraes (R) were targeted on social media after Newcastle beat Arsenal 1-0 on Saturday night
VAR checked to see whether Willock managed to keep the ball in play before the only goal
On the Newcastle website, the club added: ‘We are providing support to Bruno and Joe and will work with relevant authorities and social media platforms to identify those responsible so that they can be held to account.’
In the first half, Guimaraes appeared to elbow Jorginho, but the incident was missed by referee Stuart Attwell.
There was more controversy in the second half, when Joelinton appeared to foul Gabriel in the build-up to Anthony Gordon’s winner.
The VAR team analysed the incident deemed Joelinton had not committed a foul and ruled Gordon to be on side, ultimately ruling in favour of the on-field decision, which was a goal.
It also adjudged Willock to have kept the ball in play on the far side, although video angles confirmed it was an extremely tight call.
The complicated nature of the incident, and the various elements being analysed, has led to claims it might be the most complicated VAR check ever completed.
Arteta protested after the game, saying: ‘How the hell did this goal stand up? It’s incredible. I feel embarrassed. It’s an absolute disgrace that this was allowed. For many reasons it’s not a goal.’
However, not everyone agreed. Talking on X, formerly known as Twitter, Neville wrote: ‘I thought the decision for the Newcastle goal was correct.
‘The ball out was inconclusive at best, definitely not a foul for me and if the VAR can’t evidence offside the onfield decision should stand’.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was vocal in his criticism after their 1-0 defeat at Newcastle
beIN SPORTS showed a graphic which they claimed was evidence the ball didn’t go out of play
The incident was also discussed by Richard Keys and Andy Gray on beIN SPORTS.
The channel showed a graphic that appeared to demonstrate that the ball remained in play in the build up to the goal, although Keys admitted that it wasn’t completely conclusive.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS, Gray said that the ball was: ‘A slither in.’
Keys ten said: ‘They would be right to argue we didn’t have a definitive angle which would conclusively prove whether the ball was in or whether the ball was out.’
