Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has issued a clear verdict over the controversial decision not to award Chelsea a penalty during Sunday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal.
Chelsea were denied a spot-kick shortly before half-time, despite Declan Rice appearing to commit two separate fouls inside the penalty area. The Arsenal midfielder had his arms wrapped around Jorrel Hato while Chelsea took a corner.
As the ball floated into the box, Rice then connected with it using his elbow, forcing goalkeeper David Raya into an important save.
Chelsea equalised shortly afterwards courtesy of a Piero Hincapie own goal, but questions were still being asked at half-time about the decision to deny Liam Rosenior’s side a penalty that may have changed the complexion of the game at the Emirates Stadium.
The Premier League released a statement via X (Twitter), confirming: “The referee’s call of no penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed there was no punishable handball offence with Rice challenging an opponent as the ball hit his arm.”
Arsenal re-took the lead midway through the second half, who took their tally to 22 set-piece goals for the 2025-26 Premier League season, via a Jurrien Timber header from a Rice corner.
And while Chelsea fought for an equaliser during the closing stages of the match, their task was made significantly harder in the 70th minute when Pedro Neto was shown a red card.
Chelsea's Pedro Neto is shown a red card by referee Darren England Related
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The result, which could have a major bearing on the Premier League title race, sees Arsenal restore their five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City - who have a game in hand - at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Chelsea stay sixth in the Premier League table, three points behind Liverpool in fifth.
Mark Clattenburg Gives His Verdict on Non-Penalty Incident
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg
Clattenburg, who spent 13 years as a Premier League referee and also took charge of the Champions League and European Championship finals in 2016, has now waded into the debate over whether Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty.
He told The Chelsea Chronicle: “Declan Rice defends a corner kick and clearly moves his arm to the ball and a penalty kick should have been awarded.
“We see each week the inconsistency with refereeing decisions and this week is no different. The ball comes from a long distance and a clear movement of the arm to the ball should always result in a penalty.”
In Clattenburg’s eyes, it’s a no-brainer: a penalty should have been awarded to Chelsea. That will be scant consolation to the Blues now, but further questions may now be asked about why VAR agreed with referee Darren England’s on-field call.