VAR analysis: What led to Wrexham’s Dobson receiving a red card for his tackle on Garnacho?

The video assistant referee generates debate weekly in the Premier League and the FA Cup, but what is the decision-making process and are the outcomes accurate?

This season, we will analyze significant incidents to clarify and outline the procedure regarding VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.

Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee with over 12 seasons on the top list, officiating in both the Premier League and Championship. With considerable experience at the highest level, he has worked within the VAR framework in the Premier League and provides a distinct perspective on the processes, reasoning, and protocols implemented on a Premier League matchday.

Wrexham 2-4 Chelsea

Referee: Peter Bankes
VAR: Paul Howard
Time: 92 minutes
Incident: VAR overturn, potential red card challenge

What occurred: Wrexham’s George Dobson executed a late challenge on Chelsea forward Alejandro Garnacho. The initial decision by referee Peter Bankes was a yellow card for a reckless challenge. VAR Paul Howard suggested an on-field review for a potential red card due to Serious Foul Play (SFP).

VAR decision: After the on-field review, the referee concluded that the challenge was dangerous due to its intensity and posed a risk to the safety of an opponent, resulting in a final decision of a red card.

VAR Paul Howard must remain impartial during any review, and it did not take long for him to recommend an on-field assessment for a possible red card for serious foul play. The replays evidently made Howard uneasy with the initial yellow card.

His explanation over the communication system to referee Bankes indicated that the challenge was executed with speed, intensity, and high contact on the shin, clearly jeopardizing the safety of his opponent. Once Bankes reviewed the replays himself, he quickly concurred, revoked his initial yellow card, and issued a red card.

Verdict / Insight: Ultimately, the rapidity of the challenge, combined with high contact, indicated that this challenge fulfilled the criteria for a red card. Dobson needed to make the challenge; Garnacho was advancing and likely to generate a favorable opportunity for his team.

Considering the point and level of contact alone, I do not believe it met the criteria for SFP. However, it is challenging to dispute when factoring in the speed and intensity with which Dobson endangered the safety of his opponent.