NEWS · 14 Sep 2026
Arsenal to lodge complaint with Pro Ref over Konsa penalty
Arsenal will reach out to the refereeing authority Pro Ref regarding the penalty conceded by defender Ezri Konsa during Saturday's victory over Sunderland. The club is seeking clarification on the incident that sparked controversy.
Arsenal have announced that they will be contacting the refereeing body Pro Ref to discuss the penalty awarded to Sunderland in Saturday’s Premier League match. The club’s action follows the decision to give a penalty to the opposition after defender Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have fouled a Sunderland player.
The incident occurred in the 65th minute when Konsa was judged to have tackled a Sunderland midfielder, leading the referee to award a penalty that was converted, contributing to Arsenal’s win. The decision has drawn criticism from supporters and analysts who question the clarity of the ruling.
By raising the matter with Pro Ref, Arsenal hopes to obtain an explanation of the referee’s interpretation and to ensure that future officiating aligns with the governing body’s standards. The club’s appeal is part of a broader effort to address perceived inconsistencies in match adjudication.
Pro Ref, the organization that oversees refereeing in the Premier League, will review the incident and respond to Arsenal’s concerns. The body’s investigation will consider video evidence and referee reports to determine whether the penalty decision was justified.
Arsenal’s next steps will depend on the outcome of Pro Ref’s review. If the club receives a satisfactory explanation, the matter may be closed; otherwise, further action could be taken to seek clarification or changes in officiating procedures. The club remains focused on maintaining the integrity of competition while ensuring fair play for all teams.