Sky Sports has provided additional information regarding a significant VAR decision made between Liverpool and Newcastle United at St. James’ Park last month
Despite captain Virgil van Dijk receiving an early red card for a challenge on Alexander Isak, Liverpool recovered to win the game 2-1. After a quick VAR check, referee John Brooks gave the Dutch defender his first red card as a Liverpool player.
Officials for Sky Sports’ matches: The show “Mic’d Up,” which features Professional Game Match Officials Limited chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and is hosted by former Newcastle and Liverpool striker Michael Owen, has attempted to clarify the call by broadcasting the interaction between video assistant referee Stuart Attwell and on field referee John Brooks.
Attwell, VAR, stated following Van Dijk’s challenge on Isak: Attacking possession phase, or APP. Offside possibility Possible DOGSO (delaying an obvious chance to score a goal).
Brooks responded by saying, Outside, outside, outside the box. Also, it is a red card. He is done, and the man has been dealt a red card.
While Brooks was evaluating a possible offside against Isak and the challenge by Van Dijk, Attwell urged Brooks to delay issuing the red card.
As he said, Brooks seemed confident in his decision to dismiss the Liverpool captain. No. He enters via the man. He plays the ball through the man. He comes through the man.
Attwell went on: “On VAR” Okay, can you change the angle of the camera? Please provide a different perspective on the point of contact.
Okay, it appears to be a foul. I’m pleased with the foul, Brooksy; Stuart is the one. Just sanction and APP, standby will be checked.
Okay, so I’m content with that…freeze it where it is, freeze it where it is. Okay, so the ball will roll across his front.
“The attacker has position without the moving challenge. That’s fine because he is moving directly into the penalty area.
On the pitch, Brooks informed Van Dijk in the interim: [The decision] will be examined by them. He is, however, going inside.
They will check, check, and check again. Simply wait! If you need to leave, I will let you know right away. They have just checked the location, and it is evidently a foul.
“Don’t act foolishly. Unless he (Isak) is in the wrong, you will be dismissed, listen. It is extremely constrained.
Isak received a red card for a foul on Van Dijk outside of the penalty area, which was confirmed by the VAR check.
Van Dijk served his one-match suspension against Aston Villa over the weekend, but the Football Association has accused him of using threatening language toward Brooks, so he could face additional punishment.
Webb praised the decision-making and effectiveness of VAR in this instance in light of the previously unseen footage.
He stated, “We think it is a good communication of a foul by John Brooks and we see in the end Van Dijk does play the ball but, to get there, he clearly kicks through the foot of Isak and it denies a goalscoring opportunity.” He added, “We think it is a good communication of a foul by John Brooks.”
“The fact that that would have been a yellow card for an attempt to play the ball or challenge for the ball in the penalty area does not protect Van Dijk. Because it is not within the penalty area, DOGSO must still receive a red card for it.
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