Dalot’s Challenge Sparks Controversy: VAR Decision Under Scrutiny

Diogo Dalot’s challenge on Jeremy Doku has generated significant discussion, particularly after the Manchester United player avoided a red card despite making contact with Doku’s knee using his studs. The Premier League Match Centre clarified that the referee’s decision to issue a yellow card was reviewed and upheld by VAR, which deemed the contact as glancing and lacking excessive force.

Television pundit Alan Shearer was unequivocal in his stance, asserting on Match of the Day that Dalot deserved to be sent off. He stated, “I believe VAR made a significant error in this instance. For me, it was a clear red card. Whether the contact was ‘glancing’ or not is irrelevant. I understand the referee’s perspective since he might not have seen it clearly, but with VAR having two professionals analyze the incident, it should have been a straightforward decision to issue a red card.”

In response to the controversy, former referee Howard Webb shared his perspective on the challenge during Match Officials Mic’d Up. He explained that the officials on the pitch observed Dalot’s actions and determined that although he made contact with the ball, the subsequent contact with Doku warranted a yellow card due to recklessness. Webb stated, “While many believe it was clearly a red card, I disagree. There are multiple factors at play. Although the point of contact was on the knee, we must also consider the speed, force, and intensity of the challenge. In the Premier League, red cards for serious foul play typically involve these elements.

“Evaluating the incident in real time reveals the true nature of the challenge. Viewing it at full speed provides a clearer understanding of the actual force and intensity involved. The foot makes brief contact with the knee, and while slow-motion footage can make the action appear more severe, it can distort reality. Thus, I find it challenging to accept judgments based solely on freeze frames or slow-motion analysis suggesting it was a red card.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged that his team was outperformed against United but also felt that Dalot should have received a red card. Speaking to Sky Sports, he remarked, “It should have been a red card from the outset. However, as a manager, blaming the referees for winning or losing is unproductive. I expressed to Michael and all the players that they deserved the win. It’s undoubtedly a red card, but we must focus on our growth and not allow excuses to hinder our progress. We need to reflect on our performance.

“There are instances where teams have triumphed with ten players against eleven, and based on our performance, I still believe we might not have secured a win. If the players use the red card incident as an excuse, it could spell trouble for us moving forward. We must take an honest look at ourselves.”

Ultimately, Manchester United clinched a 2-0 victory, marking a successful start for caretaker manager Michael Carrick. He now faces another challenging match on Sunday as the Red Devils prepare to visit Arsenal in the Premier League.