Arsenal get clear Kai Havertz red card verdict with VAR admission amid Brentford complaints
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has explained why Kai Havertz was not shown a second yellow card against Brentford this past weekend. The Arsenal star was at the centre of two huge moments at Emirates Stadium with a huge penalty shout dismissed before he grabbed the winner.
The Germany international was booked in the first half for catching Kristoffer Ajer with a stray elbow and was considered fortunate by some to avoid a second caution when he fell to the floor in the penalty area after a challenge by Nathan Collins. Despite it appearing clear the whistle was set to be blown, referee Rob Jones chose not to award a decision in either direction with Gallagher now revealing why nothing was done before explaining how VAR could not get involved.
«This is a very interesting decision,» Gallagher said on Sky Sports' Ref Watch. «From the referees angle he sees the ball go to the right which from my experience makes me think Collins has played that ball, that’s what I’d think.
»Then you’d also think that he goes over Collins’ leg but when you see it from the other angle it’s different. Bear in mind the ref decides no penalty, the VAR then has two decisions to make. Is it a penalty? Well I don’t think it’s a penalty.
«What can the assistant do? Because he doesn’t think it’s a penalty either. He could [say it’s simulation] but what you have to remember is that the VAR says no penalty, he can’t recommend a second yellow card. The only time he can say ‘it’s simulation’ is if the referee gives a penalty because the player has then deceived the referee.
»He can then go back, give a second yellow card and send him off. So there’s the dilemma, there is no halfway house, it is all or nothing. As he doesn’t give a penalty, it’s
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