- Referee Rob Jones opted at hand out solely a yellow card after reviewing incident
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Followers have been left perplexed by the weird three-word message VAR Graham Scott gave to referee Rob Jones after the official rejected the choice of a pink card assessment for the primary time in Premier League historical past throughout Chelsea’s conflict with Bournemouth.
Chelsea had led at Stamford Bridge for the first-half on the heels of a luxurious Cole Palmer purpose inside the opening quarter-hour, however have been pinned again by Bournemouth after Justin Kluivert struck dwelling a penalty 5 minutes after the restart.
Because the hosts sought to get again on high, Marc Cucurella on the left flank was eager to spur on an assault however was introduced down by David Brookes in his personal half with a problem which appeared to contain the Bournemouth midfielder pulling the Spain worldwide’s hair.
Whereas commentators likened the gesture to a wrestling clothesline motion, Jones didn’t initially punish the incident, however was as an alternative suggested to seek the advice of the pitchside monitor by the VAR crew over potential violent conduct.
After a prolonged wait in west London, Jones handed Brooks a yellow card solely – rejecting the steerage of the crew in Stockley Park after being despatched to the monitor for the primary time.
However whereas partisan supporters within the stands have been both enraged – or relieved – these watching at dwelling and handled to Martin Tyler’s commentary have been confused by his reptition of Scott’s phrases to Jones after he had made his choice.
Marc Cucurella gave the impression to be introduced down by a problem from David Brooks pulling on his hair (incident ringed)
Initially, referee Rob Jones didn’t penalise the Bournemouth participant as Chelsea advocated for him to be despatched off
Jones was despatched to the monitor by VAR Graham Scott however opted to not dole out a pink in a primary
Scott is believed to have mentioned to Jones ‘it is your present’ – a cryptic message which left some unsure over the method of the decision-making.
In an announcement issued after the choice, the PGMOL mentioned: ‘VAR advisable an on-field assessment for a doable pink card to Brooks for violent conduct.
‘Upon assessment, the referee deemed that the problem on Cucurella was a reckless motion and never violent conduct – and issued a yellow card to Brooks.’
However Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca was dumbfounded after the ultimate whistle that the Cherries had not been compelled to go a person down, calling the problem ‘harmful’.
‘When there isn’t any intention to take the ball, it’s pink,’ Maresca mentioned. ‘They gave yellow, so one thing occurred.
‘How can they choose that was not harmful? In my view, it is pink. Hopefully we might be extra fortunate with the referee sooner or later.’
Cucurella has been focused with comparable darkish arts by opposition gamers up to now, with Southampton’s Jack Stephen’s despatched off throughout Chelsea’s 5-1 drubbing of the south coast aspect simply final month.
As on Tuesday night, referee Tony Harrington was despatched to the monitor on the advice of VAR officers after lacking the incident, however in that occasion issued a pink card.
Brooks as an alternative obtained a yellow card for ‘reckless conduct’ quite than violent conduct
Cucurella has beforehand been the sufferer of comparable darkish arts which noticed Jack Stephens despatched off at Southampton
The Euro 2024 winner additionally noticed his hair pulled throughout a feisty 2022 conflict with crosstown rivals Tottenham by Cristian Romero, though the Spurs participant was not penalised after VAR Mike Dean didn’t ship referee Anthony Taylor to the monitor.
Dean has since admitted that he ‘regretted’ not making the intervention after re-watching the footage.
After the incident, Bournemouth added to their tally by way of a lashed purpose from Antoine Semenyo which appeared to all-but affirm the guests can be leaving with all three factors because the tie headed into damage time.
Chelsea have been capable of pull some extent again, nevertheless, by way of returning captain Reece James, whose freekick helped degree the rating and save his aspect’s blushes because the hosts narrowly skirted defeat.
Maresca’s aspect will go attempting to find their first win in 5 Premier League matches on Monday in opposition to Wolves in a bid to agency up their now-shakier place within the high 4.
