Webb defends VAR after Botman yellow for Jackson challenge
· Sports · BBC Sport
Premier League chief referee Howard Webb backed referee Jarred Gillett's decision to show Newcastle centre-back Sven Botman a yellow card for his 18th-minute challenge on Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson. Webb called the challenge a 'high-end reckless challenge' but stated the VAR, Stuart Attwell, upheld the on-field call because there was 'no secondary scissor action' and contact was 'not with the studs'. Botman went in strongly and over the top of the ball, making contact with his trailing leg. Jackson said he 'nearly broke my leg' but accepted it as part of football, while Webb emphasized referees must retain ownership of decisions and VAR should only intervene for clear errors. Villa won 1-0 through Johan Manzambi's 36th-minute goal.
Why it matters
The decision reinforces the Premier League's current VAR protocol where referees maintain ownership of on-field calls, ensuring consistency in sanctioning reckless challenges while balancing player safety with the flow of the game.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
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