Olaleye Idowu
Video Assistant Referee, VAR, did not recommend a red card for Arsenal defender, Jurrien Timber, because his challenge on Tottnham Hotspurs’ Pedro Porro was not deemed “serious foul play”.
A fierce first-half saw referee Jarrad Gillett dish out seven yellow cards – a new Premier League record.
Timber received one of those in the 35th minute. But Spurs players felt it should have been a sending off.
The Dutchman planted his foot on the top of the ball as he made the challenge, catching Porro in the process.
The foul resulted in a melee between the two teams, with Timber seeing squaring up with Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario before things calmed down.
Timber’s tackle was however reviewed by VAR – but the on-field decision of a yellow card stood.
Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, said: “Just hearing what has been fed into the VAR at Stockley Park.
“They said Timber puts his foot on the ball and it doesn’t roll over, which is what saved it from being a red card.”
