Silva: Ref apologised and admitted it was handball

Matt Stead

Mark Clattenburg apologised to Hull for failing to disallow Alexis Sanchez’s opening goal on Saturday for handball.

Arsenal beat Hull 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, with Sanchez scoring both goals for the hosts.

His first involved a handball in the build-up, but Clattenburg and his officiating team did not disallow the goal.

The Chilean scored his and his side’s second with a stoppage-time penalty, but Hull insist that the referee apologised at half-time for not disallowing the opener.

“The referee apologised with the handball,” said manager Marco Silva.

“After this a really important moment in the game came when Markovic had the big chance but this is football and I don’t want to talk about this.”

Defender Andrew Robertson added: “The referee apologised to us after half-time and said it was a handball. He obviously realises he was in the wrong.

“It must be tough for him, but often decisions don’t go your way when you come to these big stadiums.

“The ref told us he didn’t give it because he wasn’t 100% sure. Not many referees can admit they’re wrong, so it’s good when he does though it doesn’t make things better.”