Ex-Premier League Ref Casts Strong Verdict on Botman Incident

· GiveMeSport

Newcastle defender was lucky not to be sent off

Former Premier League referee Graham Barber believes Sven Botman was a "lucky boy" to get away without a red card during the game between Newcastle United and Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Dutch defender's challenge on Villa striker Nicolas Jackson was one of the big talking points of the weekend's Premier League action, with the former Chelsea striker stating afterwards that the tackle "nearly broke my leg".

Joelinton initially threw himself into a challenge on Johan Manzambi, with referee Jarred Gillett playing advantage, before Botman then went in over the top of the ball and high on Jackson.

Gillett booked both Joelinton and Botman, with the VAR agreeing with the on-field referee's call and not suggesting a red card.

The Premier League Match Centre on X said after the incident: > "The referee’s call of yellow card to Botman for the challenge on Jackson was checked and confirmed by VAR. > > "REF: 'I think it's reckless. Even though you get a touch on the ball, it's still reckless'."

Speaking after the game, Jackson said: > "The referee said it was a yellow card but it was so high. Hopefully next time it is a red card. I nearly broke my leg, but it's fine. It's part of football."

The decision was questioned by many fans and pundits alike and speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, former top flight referee Barber believes Botman could and perhaps should have been red carded.

He said: > "I think it's a really interesting incident, this, because from the refereeing point of view, there were two challenges that followed very, very quickly. > > "The first challenge [Joelinton] was a correct yellow card, and then that was followed very quickly by the next tackle with Botman on the opponent. This is a really interesting one for me because I think, first of all, the referee saw the first one and then saw the second one and without question, the first tackle was a yellow card. > > "The second tackle, in my opinion, right, and we've got to look at this because there was a lot of challenges in a lot of games that were quite entertaining this weekend and nobody wants to take the tackle out of the game, nobody wants to stop challenges, but at all times you have to look at the safety of the opponent because that's paramount. > > "You know I'm a big fan of the on-field referee making the decision because VAR should only be in place to stop the mistakes of the referee. > > "Is it a clear and obvious error on behalf of Botman? No, but I think he's lucky. > > "I think the challenge was reckless. Is he in control? Answer: no. Was there, was there an attempt to play the ball? I don't think so. Was it high and above the ball? Yes. Did it endanger the safety of the opponent? Yes. > > "So I think he's a lucky boy. > > "But was it an obvious error from VAR's point of view? No, because it was an opinion. Did Jarred get it wrong? No, it's his opinion. He made a decision on the field of play, and I praise him for doing that. Was Botman lucky? I think yes."

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