VAR Review: A Closer Look at the Weekend’s Big Decisions
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was once again at the center of attention in the Premier League, with several high-profile incidents sparking controversy and debate. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the key decisions and examine the process behind them.
Red Card for Saliba: The Right Call?
One of the most significant incidents of the weekend came in the match between Bournemouth and Arsenal, where William Saliba was given a red card for denying Evanilson a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The VAR checked the decision and upheld the red card, but was it the right call?
To determine whether a player has denied a goal-scoring opportunity, referees must consider four factors:
- Distance between the offense and the goal
- General direction of play
- Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball
- Location and number of defenders
In this case, the VAR deemed that Saliba’s challenge met the threshold for a red card, as Evanilson had a high chance of scoring and there were no other defenders in close proximity.
Comparing Apples and Oranges: Adarabioyo’s Yellow Card
A similar incident occurred in the match between Liverpool and Chelsea, where Tosin Adarabioyo was given a yellow card for a challenge on Diogo Jota. While some argued that Adarabioyo’s challenge was similar to Saliba’s, the VAR deemed that there were significant differences between the two incidents.
In Adarabioyo’s case, the pass forward was spinning towards the right channel, rather than towards goal, and Levi Colwill was on the cover behind, placing doubts about Jota gaining control.
Goal-Line Controversy: Silva’s Positioning
In the match between Wolves and Manchester City, a late goal from John Stones sparked controversy when Bernardo Silva was deemed not to be interfering with play. The VAR checked the decision and upheld the goal, but Wolves manager Gary O’Neil was left frustrated.
The key factor in this decision was the timing of Silva’s movement. As the corner was delivered, Silva was not in an offside position, and his subsequent movement did not impact the goalkeeper’s ability to make
Leave a Reply