PGMOL chief Howard Webb admits Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic was lucky to avoid being sent off during Sunday’s match against Arsenal.
Kovacic was cautioned with a yellow card for a hazardous tackle on Arsenal’s captain, Martin Ødegaard. Only minutes later, he got away with another late challenge — this time on Declan Rice.
The first incident underwent a thorough VAR review, but referee Michael Oliver was not advised to assess the tackle using the pitchside monitor.
Arsenal fans were furious when Oliver chose not to brandish a second yellow card to Kovacic for the foul on Rice. Fortunately for the Gunners, this had no bearing on their points total, as they clinched a 1-0 victory.
RELATED: Every Time Howard Webb & PGMOL Has Apologised To Premier League Clubs For Wrong VAR Decisions
Addressing the matter on “Match Officials: Mic’d Up,” Howard Webb, the Chief Refereeing Officer of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), asserted that VAR made the correct call by not intervening with the borderline yellow card. Nevertheless, Webb contended that “had a red card been given by Michael Oliver on the day, it would have been a very straightforward ‘check complete.'”
What sort of garbage is this? Extraordinary. Is this the new precedent then, don’t want a negative impact?
— FK (@fkhanage) October 10, 2023
Webb expressed his belief that Kovacic was fortunate to escape a second yellow card, clarifying that VAR does not have jurisdiction over such decisions. He acknowledged the pressure that referees face when making these calls but emphasised the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game.
In retrospect, Webb stated, “So when he reflects on it, he’ll realise that the second (foul) should have been a yellow card as well, which would have seen Kovacic sent off for two yellow cards.”
Here are some reactions to Webb’s controversial explanation from Twitter:
Howard Webb basically saying Kovacic should have got a red but they didn't think it was clear and obvious enough to undermine Michael Oliver….And that's the issue. VAR is being used to protect referees NOT to deliver consistent standard in the Premier League. Disgusting
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) October 10, 2023
Mad how Howard Webb is able to just lie on this Mic'd Up show without being called out on it. Just propaganda at this point.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) October 10, 2023
Watching Howard Webb explain nonsense on tv reaffirms that it’s a circus inside the @FA_PGMOL they are utterly lost. Apply the laws of the game properly or stop being a referee. Simple.
— Moby (@Mobyhaque1) October 10, 2023
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