Professional Game Match Officials Limited chief Howard Webb has defended the decision not to send off Newcastle defender Sven Botman for a challenge on Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson. Speaking on Match Officials Mic’d Up, Webb stated that the on-field yellow card given by referee Jarred Gillett and backed by VAR Stuart Attwell was not “clearly wrong,” despite widespread criticism from pundits and players following Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat.
Pundit and Player Reactions to the Tackle
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp strongly condemned the challenge, stating that it was extremely dangerous and that the game is in trouble if VAR cannot identify it as a red card. Nicolas Jackson told Sky Sports after the match that the challenge was very high and that he nearly broke his leg, adding that he hoped it would result in a red card next time. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher also described the challenge on Ref Watch as a red card due to its speed, intensity, and scissor motion. Sky Sports analyst Jay Bothroyd claimed the tackle was more violent than a recent headbutt incident involving Yehor Yarmoliuk at Brentford.
Howard Webb Explains the VAR Decision
Webb explained that the incident aligns with this season’s directive for VARs to avoid re-refereeing subjective on-field decisions. He noted that the Premier League embraces robust tackles as part of the English game, while balancing player safety. Webb explained that the referee judged the challenge as a high-end reckless tackle in real-time, especially after Botman got a touch on the ball. Audio from the VAR room revealed that Stuart Attwell and assistant Craig Taylor concluded there was no stud contact to the leg, no clear point of contact, and no secondary scissor action, leading them to confirm the yellow card.
Other Premier League Incidents
Webb also addressed other disciplinary decisions from recent matches, noting that Rodrigo Bentancur’s red card and Luke Shaw’s yellow card during Tottenham’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United were the correct outcomes. Bentancur was dismissed for a headbutt following a push from Shaw, with Webb explaining that the laws differentiate between contacts to the head and pushes to the chest. However, Webb did not analyze tackles involving Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer from Chelsea’s match against Everton, which had also sparked debate among pundits.
Source: SkySports | News
