Exclusive: PGMOL urged to ban ‘dangerous’ Gomes challenge following Wolves vs Arsenal clash
Keith Hackett argues that the PGMOL should classify tackles like Wolves’ Joao Gomes’ red card challenge on Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber as “serious foul play.”
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA and Premier League referee Keith Hackett has called for challenges like this to be “outlawed” due to the nature of the tackle.
The incident took place in the 70th minute and evened the game, following Michael Oliver’s earlier decision to send off Myles Lewis-Skelly, which sparked controversy and was labeled “wrong” by Hackett. However, Gomes’ case was viewed differently.
Gomes’ foot made contact with Timber’s lower Achilles, but fortunately, the Dutch defender was able to play on. Hackett criticized the Wolves player, describing the challenge as reckless.
Despite receiving an earlier yellow card, Brazilian midfielder Gomes was kept on the pitch by manager Vitor Pereira but was eventually sent off for a high tackle on Timber. He received a second yellow card rather than a straight red, meaning he will only miss one match—against Aston Villa on 1 February. In contrast, Lewis-Skelly, sent off earlier, will miss three consecutive matches, including fixtures against Man City and Newcastle.
Hackett told Football Insider: “I’d like to see this type of challenge outlawed. At a minimum, it’s a yellow for recklessness. The PGMOL should start treating lower-leg Achilles challenges as serious foul play.”
Despite the setback, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal secured victory when substitute Riccardo Calafiori scored the decisive goal in the 74th minute. Meanwhile, Pereira’s Wolves remain in 17th place, just above the relegation zone on goal difference, with Matheus Cunha’s goals keeping them afloat—though he has been linked with a potential move to Arsenal.
