Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes James Maddison was extremely fortunate that VAR did not ask the on-field referee to review his altercation with Ryan Yates on Sunday.
The incident that occurred at the end of the first half of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest has divided opinion, with some considering it as an apparent red card infraction and others suggesting that there was little to it.
Wayne Rooney believed Maddison’s intention to punch his opponent was obvious, and he was astonished that VAR did not interfere (Optus Sport).
However, Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp have argued that Yates took the incident too lightly and made a big deal out of it, claiming that the correct decision was taken (Sky Sports).
James Maddison was lucky not to see red
Gallagher has also pointed out that Maddison was already on a yellow card at the time, and he believes the on-field referee may have reached a different judgment if he had been requested to re-watch the incident on the touchline monitor.
The former Premier League official argued that the 27-year-old would not have had much to complain about if he had received a red card.
Gallagher discussed the incident on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, saying, “This was really interesting because it was flagged by VAR.” I listened to the VAR. Maddison had already received a yellow card, and I felt the decision would be quite fascinating. The VAR determined that there was ‘no proof of violent conduct’. That is his choice.
“What I will say is that the referee needs to be instructed by VAR since he cannot see it. VAR doesn’t send him to the screen so he doesn’t see the incident again. If he did, who knows what he’d decide?
“I think Maddison is extremely lucky. If you do that on the football field and get sent off, you don’t have a leg to stand on. Due to the VAR system, the referee has not had the opportunity to review it. It has not met the threshold.”
Author’s Opinion
While I believe the correct judgment was made, I agree with Gallagher that Maddison would not have had much cause for complaint if he had been handed his marching orders.
Regardless of the force employed (or lack thereof), a punch cannot be aimed at an opponent. The Tottenham player did lose his cool for a short second.
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