Referees' chief Howard Webb believes there was nothing "clearly wrong" with the decision not to send off Newcastle defender Sven Botman for his tackle on Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson. Sky Sports pundits widely criticised referee Jarred Gillett for showing only a yellow card and VAR Stuart Attwell for backing the on-field call in Newcastle's 1-0 defeat to Villa on Saturday.
Jamie Redknapp said: "If VAR can't see that's a red, we're in trouble. It is so dangerous. How he's not broken his leg there... I like to see aggression. I want to see 50/50 tackles, but you can't do that anymore." Jackson said after the game: "The referee said it was a yellow card but it was so high. Hopefully next time it is a red card. I nearly broke my leg, but it's fine. It's part of football." Former referee Dermot Gallagher said on Ref Watch: "I think it's a red card. It's got everything for a red card tackle - it's got speed, intensity, he scissors him."
Webb, however, believes the incident reflects this season's approach of VAR not re-refereeing on-field decisions. On Match Officials Mic'd Up, he said many such tackles are subjective and that referees are asked to make decisive calls in the moment. He added that VAR should intervene only when something is clearly wrong, such as strong stud contact into the ankle or shin, or a closing of the scissor.
Webb said Botman's challenge did not show those elements, so the referee's call was allowed to stand. He stressed that the Premier League values robust tackling but that officials also have a responsibility to protect players' safety.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing