Dalot ‘Would Have Received Red Card in Europe’

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed no desire to attribute blame for the absence of a red card on Diogo Dalot during their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday. However, the incident has sparked a heated discussion regarding the consistency of officiating in the Premier League compared to European standards.

Premier League Referees’ Red Card Challenge

Dalot was involved in a pivotal moment in the 10th minute of the match when he made contact with City winger Jeremy Doku. The Portuguese defender attempted to intercept the ball but ended up striking Doku’s knee with his studs. Referee Anthony Taylor issued a yellow card, a decision that was backed by VAR official Craig Pawson, who claimed the contact lacked excessive force.

Former England striker Alan Shearer publicly criticized the VAR’s decision, stating, “I think VAR got that terribly wrong. For me, that was a clear red card.” According to Shearer, the presence of two professionals reviewing the incident should have made the decision straightforward.

The Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) supported the initial yellow card, arguing that the slow-motion replay was misleading and that in real-time, the level of force appeared to be acceptable. However, the approach to officiating in the Premier League contrasts sharply with the standards expected in international competitions like the Champions League, where such challenges often result in red cards.

Current Trends in Premier League Refereeing

The Premier League emphasizes a more physical style of play, which can often lead to subjective interpretations of fouls that may be viewed differently across Europe. The PGMO reported that last season saw seven significant errors related to serious foul play, including missed opportunities to issue red cards and incorrect rejections of two others after VAR reviews.

Notably, four players had their red cards overturned during appeals, marking a season of record-high inconsistencies in officiating. As of this season, however, the KMI Panel has reported no errors associated with serious foul play.

Comparison with Other Incidents

Another noteworthy VAR decision occurred in a previous match between Chelsea and Tottenham, involving Pape Matar Sarr. After Sarr’s challenge on Moises Caicedo was reviewed, VAR determined it warranted only a yellow card despite apparent similar contact. The PGMO would assert that there was consistency in their decisions, given the same referee oversaw both incidents.

The match officials’ communication and visual reviews play critical roles in these controversial evaluations. If the on-field referee perceives the challenge as minimal and describes it as such, the threshold for revisiting the decision is significantly reduced. This has led to a noticeable divide between how various leagues interpret contact and fouls.

In contrast, a significant VAR incident involving Curtis Jones earlier in the season continues to draw ire from Liverpool supporters. Jones’ challenge was deemed serious enough for a red card, a decision that seemed much clearer for many observers.

This ongoing dialogue regarding the treatment of dangerous challenges and the role of VAR reveals deep-seated inconsistencies in officiating standards across leagues, raising questions about the future of such technologies in the game.