Webb defends VAR’s handling of Botman’s challenge on Jackson

Premier League referees’ chief Howard Webb said Sven Botman’s challenge on Nicolas Jackson was a “high‑end reckless challenge,” but he supported the video assistant referee’s decision not to upgrade the punishment to a red card.

In the 18th minute of Saturday’s match, Newcastle centre‑back Botman was cautioned by referee Jarred Gillett after a strong, over‑the‑ball tackle that made contact with his trailing leg. Gillett described the play as reckless, noting that even though Botman touched the ball, the challenge remained dangerous.

VAR official Stuart Attwell upheld the on‑field yellow card, explaining that there was no secondary scissor action and the contact was not made with the studs. Jackson, who left the field with a bruised ankle, said after the game, “I know the referee said yellow card but it was so high and hopefully maybe next time a red card, but it was a yellow. I nearly broke my leg, but anyway, it’s part of football.”

Aston Villa secured a 1‑0 victory thanks to a 36th‑minute goal from Johan Manzambi.

Speaking on “Match Officials Mic’d Up,” Webb said robust tackling is part of English football, but referees must still protect player safety. He explained that the referee judged the challenge as reckless and that the VAR’s role is to intervene only when the on‑field decision is clearly wrong. Webb added that had the VAR seen clear stud contact or a scissor‑type motion, the outcome might have been different, and a red card would certainly have been reviewed.

Webb described the incident as a good illustration of how the Premier League’s referee‑VAR system is intended to work: the referee makes the call and the VAR steps in only for clear errors.

After seven rounds of matches this season, the league has recorded 21 VAR interventions, nine of which were judged subjective. By the same stage last season there were 14 interventions, 11 of them subjective. Errors have fallen relative to the number of reviews. The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel has identified one incorrect VAR decision this season – Manchester City’s off‑side winning goal against Manchester United – and one missed penalty award for Arsenal at Aston Villa. In contrast, last season saw four missed interventions and one incorrect decision after the first seven rounds.