The video assistant referee (VAR) sparks debate on a weekly basis in both the Premier League and the FA Cup. But how are these decisions made, and are they justified?
This season, we will evaluate significant incidents to clarify the decision-making process, focusing on VAR protocols and the Laws of the Game.
Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee with over 12 seasons of experience on the elite list, officiating in both the Premier League and Championship. His extensive background in the VAR system provides valuable insights into the processes, reasoning, and protocols involved in a Premier League matchday.
Referee: Peter Bankes
VAR: Paul Howard
Time: 92 minutes
Incident: VAR overturn, potential red card challenge
Incident Overview: Wrexham’s George Dobson executed a late challenge on Chelsea’s Alejandro Garnacho. Initially, Referee Peter Bankes issued a yellow card for what he deemed a reckless challenge. However, VAR Paul Howard suggested a review of the decision for a potential red card due to Serious Foul Play (SFP).
VAR Decision: After the review, the referee concluded that the challenge was excessive in intensity and posed a danger to the opponent’s safety, resulting in a red card.
VAR Paul Howard worked to eliminate any emotional bias during the check. He quickly recommended an on-field review after feeling that a yellow card was insufficient. His rationale to Referee Bankes highlighted the speed and intensity of the challenge, noting that the contact was high on the shin and clearly endangered the opponent’s safety. Upon reviewing the play himself, Bankes promptly agreed with Howard, withdrew the yellow card, and issued a red card.
Analysis: The nature of the challenge, characterized by its speed and high contact level, justified the red card decision. Dobson was compelled to make the tackle as Garnacho was in a position to create a significant scoring opportunity. While the point of contact alone may not meet the criteria for SFP, the overall context of speed and intensity certainly raised concerns for player safety.