Iconic Moments in Football No.13

Robbie Fowler becomes very honest!

David Seaman can’t understand how a penalty is given and neither can Robbie Fowler!

Liverpool were the visitors at Highbury to face Arsenal in an important league match in today’s Iconic Moment in Football.

Both teams were up at the top of the table chasing champions Manchester United. Hosts Arsenal hadn’t won the league since 1991 and Liverpool’s last title was the year before Arsenal in 1990.

The match was on Monday 24th March 1997 and a win for either team could give them a great chance of winning the league title.

Liverpool took the lead on 50 minutes, striker Stan Collymore netting for the Reds. Then came the moment of controversy.

Robbie Fowler was played through on goal, made his way towards goal and Arsenal goalkeeper dived at his feet trying to get the ball.

The Liverpool striker tripped and fell to the floor as Seaman dived in and the referee gave a penalty. Neither Seaman nor Fowler could understand why the penalty were given and Seaman protested his innocence. Fowler tried to tell the referee that he had made the wrong decision but it was no good.

It was Fowler who took the resulting penalty and David Seaman saved his effort and justice prevailed. Sadly, Liverpool’s Jason McAteer didn’t agree and chased the loose ball and hammered it into the net to make it 2-0 to Liverpool.

Ian Wright grabbed a goal back for Arsenal but they lost the game 2-1. Robbie Fowler received a lot of praise in the press and from others in the game for his honesty. Lennart Johansson, then President of UEFA also sent him a certificate of commendation.