New Delhi: Matchday 18 produced some top tier drama not just in terms of results, but also a few turn of events that made many people question the referees and VAR decisions. In the game against Aston Villa and Newcastle, the Villans went 1-0 down in just the second mintue of the game when Anthony Gordon scored a stunning goal for the home side. However, Unai Emery’s side suffered yet another blow in the 32nd minute of the game when they were down to 10 men after their young star Jhon Duran was given a controversial red card.
The young forward saw red after VAR provided their conclusion after judging the tussle between Duran and Newcastle’s Fabian Schar. Anthony Taylor didn’t even take a look at the replay, he decided to issue a red card to Duran that only made matters worse for the Villans. However, the internet saw fans putting up their opinions that the forward didn’t deserve to be booked after he appeared to stamp on the defender during their tussle, which led to his dismissal. The pundits also claimed that due to the momentum in which he was running, there was n oway he could have stopped himself from not making the contact with the Swiss defender.
Something bizzare happened in the Premier League meeting between Brighton and Brentford that saw the Seagulls’ striker Joao Pedro not being booked after a VAR check on his aggresive swing of elbow that just missed the Brentford player Yegor Yarmolyuk. Although it could have been a lot worse, Pedro certainly deserved atleast a yellow card for that aggressive behaviour according to some fans on social media. However, the striker survived it as no card was issued to him.
What Premier League had to say and other’s thoughts on this
João Pedro? 😭pic.twitter.com/Hc15KQXnks
— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) December 27, 2024
Later, the Premier League clarified the decision in a statement sent via X (previously Twitter). According to the post that was uploaded on Twitter, VAR examined and verified the referee’s decision to not issue a red card to Joao Pedro for violent behavior, concluding that the call was unclear and blatantly incorrect.
The managers of the teams had differing opinions about the choice. Thomas Frank, the manager of Brentford, disagreed and said Pedro should be suspended for his behavior.
“I think it’s a red card,” Frank claimed. “You can’t swing your arm like that. It’s like, if you want to punch or swing your arm like that, hit or no hit, as I understand with the laws, it’s a red card.”
Fabian Hurzeler, the manager of Brighton, however, backed his player and denied any violent behavior. He responded to Frank by saying, “I see it completely differently. For me, it’s not a red card, why would it be a red card? You just try to get free from someone.”
Have the Premier League referees lost the credibility?
I hate to side with Arsenal fans but it’s mental that non of these were given the same punishment as Duran genuinely there’s something dodgy going on with this league…
pic.twitter.com/yekbra6mCC
— VillaVerse💥 (@louisdebono2) December 28, 2024
Recently it has been confirmed that Aston Villa’s appeal for Jhon Duran’s red card was rejected by Football Association which has left the club in shock. Unai Emery blasted the referees for the call, claiming it ended the match as Newcastle easily defeated a 10-man opposition 3-0. The manager of Villa, who has previously supported the use of video assistance referee technology, was baffled that it did not step in at St. James’ Park.
“The red card was clear for the referee straight away, he was the only person in the stadium who couldn’t take his time,” Emery claimed. “He has to be intelligent to take time and get the right decision.
“In this case you have to use the VAR. He has to be smart, and calm. It has to be like that.”
It was pretty clear that the VAR was very much needed in this situation that brewed up and Anthony Taylor decided to take the matters in his own hands and issuing a straight red that left the visitors frustrated. Unai Emery also claimed that this was the turning point in the game when their star forward was sent off which led to Newcastle scoring two more goals and ending the game 3-0 to their liking.
Meanwhile, according to many it was a baffling decision by the VAR when they decided not to issue a card to Joao Pedro, who’s actions seemed like he deserved atleast a yellow card. This raises a big question that are the Premier League referees losing their credibility?
Matchday 18 of Premier League saw VAR and refereeing decisions spark controversy, from Jhon Duran’s red card to Joao Pedro escaping punishment, leaving fans and pundits questioning consistency. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
