Community Shield referee has history with Arsenal star

Sam Barrott, the referee for Arsenal's Community Shield clash, once admitted he was wrong to a player after a push.

What happened. Sam Barrott has been appointed to referee the Community Shield between Arsenal and Manchester City, and he has a history with Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli and Eberechi Eze.

• Barrott started in the Premier League in 2023/24 after four years in lower divisions.
• He faced criticism from Marco Silva after a red card in a Newcastle match.
• He admitted to a player he was wrong after being pushed by an Arsenal star.

“It was a really strange performance from the referee from the first minute to the last minute.”

— Marco Silva

Barrott will officiate a high-stakes match between last season's top two Premier League teams.

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