KYLE WALKER reportedly confronted referee Michael Oliver in the tunnel to continue his protestations at Arsenal’s equaliser against Manchester City.
Riccardo Calafiori cancelled out Erling Haaland‘s opener with a stunning left-footed finish from outside the box in the 22nd minute.
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Walker and his team-mates fumed at Oliver as they believed the free kick leading up to the goal had been taken quickly after he was pulled out of position.
Replays showed Oliver called over the England defender for a chat seconds before Thomas Partey played in Gabriel Martinelli, who teed up Calafiori’s strike.
And according to reports, Walker seemingly reminded the veteran ref of the build-up to the goal during the half-time interval.
Walker’s half-time protestations weren’t picked up by Sky Sports’ cameras but were seen by BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone.
He wrote on X: “Kyle Walker making his point to Michael Oliver in the tunnel at half-time.”
Footie fans sympathised with Walker after seeing replays of Oliver calling him over moments before Calafiori’s wonder strike.
One said: “TV replays have shown Michael Oliver called Kyle Walker over to speak after Arsenal were awarded a free-kick.
“The referee waited momentarily after the conversation, before restarting play, while Kyle Walker was not yet in position when Gabriel Martinelli was on.”
Another said: “Replays showing Michael Oliver called Kyle Walker out for a chat when Arsenal were awarded their free-kick.
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What will happen to Man City?
MAN CITY are favourites to win the Premier League title yet again – but there is one elephant in the room that threatens to put the skids under the Etihad giants.
Sunsport’s MARTIN LIPTON discusses what the next few months could hold with Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS….
Custis: So the big question – will there be a resolution this season?
Lipton: Yes…. probably! We know the case will start to be dealt with in October or November.
It will take at least a month to go through the evidence. So I suspect around March, April time, we will get a result. But that’s where it starts to get tricky.
Custis: Why is that?
Lipton: If the result is in City’s favour, that’s the end of the matter. They will be cleared. They will have no punishment to face.
But if City are found guilty, these will be the heaviest penalties ever imposed by the Premier League.
I suspect if they are found guilty, they will be expelled from the league or given a massive points deduction and a huge fine so that they’re not in the Premier League next season.
Check out the full discussion on Man City’s future.
“He waited a bit before Arsenal took it but Walker claimed he wasn’t back in position.”
Another remarked: “Replays on Sky Sports clearly showing referee Michael Oliver called Kyle Walker out for a chat when Arsenal were awarded their free-kick.
“Oliver didn’t blow immediately but Walker clearly shown arguing he had not got back into position when the pass was played out to Gabriel Martinelli.
“We have not heard the last of that.
“I suspect Oliver will find out what the Manchester City fans think when he heads to the tunnel at half-time.”
Things went from bad to worse for City in first-half stoppage time when Gabriel Magalhaes headed the Gunners into the lead.
But Leandro Trossard’s red card for delaying the restart a few moments later meant they went into the second half against ten men.
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