PGMOL Chief Howard Webb shared insights on the recent controversial red card issued to Bruno Fernandes during Manchester United’s match against Tottenham Hotspur. Webb emphasized that VAR should have intervened to overturn the decision, citing that Fernandes slipped prior to the contact with Spurs’ James Maddison.
In the match, held towards the end of the first half, Fernandes received a red card after slipping and making high contact on Maddison’s leg, leading referee Chris Kavanagh to promptly show the card. Manchester United ultimately lost the game 3-0, a result compounded by Webb’s assertion that VAR official Peter Bankes should have reassessed the decision.
Webb noted the commentary from the assistant referee, indicating a strong belief that it was a red card. Yet, he criticized that the VAR’s evaluation highlighted the slip and determined there was no deliberate intent to strike the opponent with the studs, suggesting more of a tripping motion instead.
Key Insights: Webb’s Evaluation on VAR Decisions
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Fernandes Incident: Webb labeled the decision a mistake, noting that the assistant referee’s recommendation influenced the on-field call. Webb believes that while the contact was high, the slip should have mitigated the severity of the foul, advocating for the referee to have reviewed the incident on-screen.
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Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: In another controversial match, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi felt he deserved a penalty after an incident involving Virgil van Dijk. VAR chose not to intervene, claiming the contact did not affect Guehi’s ability to play the ball, which Webb supported, emphasizing the need for swift decision-making while reducing delays in VAR calls.
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Newcastle United vs Manchester City: Webb affirmed that the penalty awarded to Anthony Gordon for a challenge by Ederson was justified, supporting the referee’s on-field decision and VAR’s concurrence in allowing the penalty.
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Everton vs Newcastle: Webb backed the on-field decision to deny a penalty to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, aligning with the VAR’s opinion that the foul did not warrant a spot-kick. He praised the officials for making a good judgment in real-time.
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Fulham Incident: Webb discussed the potential penalty awarded to Fulham after examining Murillo’s challenge against Andreas Pereira, highlighting how the contact impeded Pereira despite being accidental.
- Arsenal Goal vs Leicester: Concerning Kai Havertz’s goal, Webb explained that despite an initial offside call, reviews determined that the goal should stand as the defender’s action played Havertz onside.
These VAR-related discussions by Webb shed light on the ongoing debate surrounding refereeing decisions in high-stakes matches, emphasizing the need for clarity and consistency in the application of the rules.
