Leaked VAR audio from the Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Arsenal explains why Bruno Guimaraes avoided a red card after his off-ball incident with Jorginho.
The match at St James’ Park stirred plenty of controversy, particularly around Anthony Gordon’s winning goal for the home side, which underwent a lengthy VAR check.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refused to hold back his frustration post-match, labelling the decisions made by VAR as ’embarrassing’ and ‘a disgrace’. He went on to express feeling ‘sick’ about the decision to award the goal, asserting that it should not have been allowed.
Aside from the goal, there were other contentious incidents during the game. Kai Havertz received just a yellow card for a rash challenge on Sean Longstaff, while Bruno Guimaraes escaped a sanction despite seemingly elbowing Jorginho in the head.
Since then, speaking on Match Officials: Mic’d Up PGMOL chief Howard Webb has admitted that both players should have been shown red cards.
Additionally, the Premier League’s Independent Key Match Incidents Panel confirmed that while VAR was correct to award Newcastle the goal, both Havertz and Jorginho were fortunate to escape being sent off.
However, leaked VAR audio related to the Guimaraes incident has surfaced, revealing the reasons for deciding not to send the Brazilian off.
Why did Bruno Guimaraes avoid a Red Card?
The leaked audio, originating from ‘leakedlineups’ on Instagram, captures the conversations between VAR official Andy Madley, Assistant VAR Stuart Burt, and referee Stuart Atwell.
The VAR check for Bruno Guimarães' elbow on Jorginho.pic.twitter.com/91ptGUqCJj
— Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) November 15, 2023
In the clip, Madley states, reviewing the incident, “He goes into the player… so he lifts his arm up because he’s going into the defender. Just have a look at this for me, Stu (AVAR). For me, he sees the player, he puts his arm up, and there’s a glancing blow from the side, but for me, that’s not used as a weapon. That’s not violent conduct. Are you happy with that as well?”
Burt responds, ‘Yeah, it’s not nice, but I don’t think it’s any more than a yellow card.’ Madley concludes, ‘It doesn’t reach the threshold. Stuart (Attwell – referee), it’s check complete, check complete.’
Despite not featuring on the Match Officials: Mic’d Up broadcast, the leaked audio is likely to further eat away at the general perception of VAR.
RELATED: Who Are The Members On The Premier League’s Independent Key Match Incidents Panel?
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