'F***ing disgrace' - Brentford players in furious tunnel bust-up with referee after Kai Havertz escaped red in Arsenal win

The Brentford players were reportedly unhappy about Havertz not being shown a second yellow by referee Rob Jones for a deliberate dive while the game was still level. The report comes from an exclusive from The Mirror, which writes that the Brentford players surrounded Jones near the dressing rooms. Brentford defender Nathan Collins was one of the players upset with Havertz during the altercation, as a significant number of the Bees' players and coaching staff lost their cool after the game. The report states that Collins was visibly angered by Jones' decision not to send off Havertz, and he was allegedly heard saying "f***ing disgrace" and "cheat" towards the referee.

Jones became embroiled in controversy after failing to book Havertz for what appeared to be a blatant dive in reaction to Collins' challenge. Brentford players first remonstrated with Jones after Havertz took the dive, and again after he scored the last-gasp winner that sent Arsenal top of the Premier League. Havertz had already been disciplined earlier in the game for using his elbow while jumping for the ball. Arsenal, in that instance, were upset that he was cautioned, saying he was looking at the ball and that the contact was unintentional.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank echoed the feelings of his players, as he told reporters straight after Saturday's match: "I'm so proud of the team and the players. We've come here to Arsenal who have scored 100 goals in I don't know how many games and we limited them. It was almost a defensive masterclass.

"The performance was spot on. Even more impressive if you take into account Arsenal's form, our form, our injury situation. I actually don't think Havertz should be on the pitch when he scored. It was a clear dive. Maybe it is difficult for the ref but the linesman should have seen it."

Despite the players' actions in the tunnel, they will not face any sanctions or reprimands. That's because Jones did not note down the incident in his official game notes and did not lodge any complaints to the Football Association after the match.