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      Listen to Michael Oliver’s conversation with VAR over Lewis-Skelly red card as Howard Webb says referee got it wrong

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      HOWARD WEBB admits Michael Oliver and VAR were WRONG to send off Myles Lewis-Skelly during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Wolves last month.But the PGMOL chief said the criticism and abuse aimed at under-fire ref Oliver as a result was “wholly unacceptable”.Michael Oliver sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over WolvesCredit: PALewis-Skelly was shown red for a foul on Matt Doherty but the card ended up being overturnedCredit: PAVAR Darren England didn’t advise Oliver to look at the incidentCredit: PAThe conversation that took place between Oliver and England and the assistant VAR has been revealedCredit: Sky SportsOliver told England and his assistant that he’d send off Lewis-Skelly before issuing the redCredit: Sky SportsGunners defender Lewis-Skelly was shown a first half straight red for a cynical trip on Wolves’ Matt Doherty just outside the Arsenal box – sparking widespread outrage from fans and pundits.Oliver claimed it was “serious foul play”, while Sky pundit Micah Richards labelled it “the worst decision I’ve ever seen in Premier League football history”.Three days later, the FA overturned the three-match ban for Lewis-Skelly – but Arsenal were still handed a £65k fine for the on-field reaction to the decision by the players.And Webb said: “From the outset, we would prefer a yellow card in this situation.READ MORE ON ARSENAL“[Oliver] saw the player moving in towards an opponent without any ability or intention of playing the ball. He felt it was serious foul play.“But we know that for serious foul play, we need excessive force or brutality and what we see here is that high contact [just] glancing and coming off the leg quite quickly.“So for that reason, everybody pretty much in the game has formed the same conclusion that this is falling short of serious foul play, because of that glancing contact.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMichael Oliver’s Conversation with VAR After Myles Lewis-Skelly red cardOliver said of the incident: “I’m going to go red card, mate. Red card on the ankle. Red card, serious foul play.”England replied: “Just checking the red card for serious foul play. OK, it’s for serious foul play, not DOGSO (Denying an Obvious Goalscoring Opportunity).“OK, for me the contact’s on the top of the foot.”The assistant VAR chimed in by saying: “I think he catches him on the side of the ankle first. It glances off the side of the ankle down onto the foot. So the first impact is more that Achilles area.”England then said: “So first impact is on the Achilles, on the shin.”The assistant VAR chimed in: “With no chance of playing the ball.”England then stated: “So, it’s high up above the ankle then it comes back down. OK, just get me the number please.”Identifying Lewis-Skelly as the culprit, the assistant said: “It’s number 49, Lewis-Skelly.”England then told Oliver: “Michael, confirming the on-field decision of red card for serious foul play for Myles Lewis-Skelly. Away, 49. Check complete.”“Because the studs don’t really go right into the leg, they glance in before coming down onto the foot.Most read in Football“There are some considerations that might support a red card, but there are a whole host of others that say it is not quite there, so on balance we would rather this had been a yellow card.”Arsenal wonderkid Lewis-Skelly’s mum reveals he’s ‘still on washing-up duty’… and how she nearly missed Man City goalIn the released referee audio from the match, Oliver says straight away to VAR official Darren England after Lewis-Skelly’s challenge: “I’m going to go red card, mate. Red card on the ankle. Red card, serious foul play.”After a back and forth with his VAR assistant, England concludes that the “first impact is on the Achilles, on the shin” and replied: “Confirming the on-field decision of red card for serious foul play”.Webb continued: “We feel the VAR should have been involved, but they didn’t want to re-referee the situation, they were mindful of the referee’s call standing unless it is clearly and obviously wrong.“They felt it wasn’t at that level on the day and decided to leave it as a red card on the field. “I’ve heard this described as a really horrendous officiating decision. It’s not!“I understand why the referee saw this on the day as a serious foul-play action. “It’s an understandable on-field decision.”Darren England didn’t encourage Michael Oliveir to review the incident on the monitorCredit: SKY SPORTSEx-Prem ref Howard Webb believes Michael Oliver made the wrong callCredit: SKY SPORTSArsenal were fined £65,000 for their players’ reaction to Lewis-Skelly’s sending-offCredit: PAIn the days after in the incident, Oliver received social media abuse and threats towards himself and his family and had police protection at his home after the PGMOL reported it.It is one of NINETY cases of abuse towards refs police have assessed since the start of last season.Webb said: “It’s wholly unacceptable. We know criticism comes out way. “It’s part and parcel of the job, but there’s a line, isn’t there?“Nobody should be subject to threats, their families shouldn’t be subject to threats, whether that be officials or players. READ MORE SUN STORIES”We have seen all participants being exposed to those sorts of things.”Arsenal will be back in action Saturday afternoon, welcoming West Ham to the Emirates. More

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      Premier League boss facing FA punishment after claiming ‘smaller’ clubs are being targeted by referees

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      IPSWICH manager Kieran McKenna faces an FA rap after claiming “smaller” Premier League clubs are targeted by referees.McKenna was furious at the first of two yellow cards ref Rob Jones gave defender Axel Tuanzebe in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.Kieran McKenna slated what he reckons was a harsh initial bookingCredit: PAAxel Tuanzebe earned a yellow card McKenna reckons was never a foulCredit: RexTuanzebe then saw red for this challenge on Jacob RamseyCredit: GettyHe blasted: “I didn’t think it was a foul. Even if it was a foul, I think it was a decision given against a smaller team against a bigger team away from home.”It (the yellow card) was out of the pocket before the ball even stopped rolling. “I thought that was a really poor yellow. The second one, there’s not too many complaints.”FA bosses want to clamp down on criticism of refs.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd ex-Prem whistler Dermot Gallagher told Sky Sports: “As a referee, you are so focused on what you have to do.“You do not have time to think, ‘This club is bigger than this club’. It would not cross your mind.”Tuanzebe saw red as early in just the 40th minute for his second booking.The defender brought down Jacob Ramsey on the edge of the area.Most read in SportDefender Tuanzebe was gutted to see red at Villa ParkCredit: AlamyLiam Delap then stunned Villa by turning home Omari Hutchinson’s cross 11 minutes into the second period.But with the home fans growing in frustration, Unai Emery’s men finally nicked a point midway through the period.BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSLoanee striker Marcus Rashford, who came on at the break, hit the bar with a free-kick and Ollie Watkins gobbled up the rebound.The point lifted Ipswich to third bottom – above Leicester.Liam Delap talks about joining Ipswich Town But victory would have put them level on points with Wolves. McKenna said: “A really good solid first 40 minutes, pretty much Even Stevens, then down to 10 men.”And of Tuanzebe’s initial booking, he added: “Anyone can make a mistake but I think it’s more how quickly the yellow came out. “Even if it was a foul, so many times this season I’ve not seen a yellow on the first foul at all. And I don’t think it was a foul. I think he got the ball.”If you’re booking a full-back for something like that away from home, you have to be right on the first foul, because you know it’s going to be a real hard game from then on.” More

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      Football League referee, 46, is charged with child sex offence & suspended from officiating

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      AN ASSISTANT referee who officiated EFL and FA Cup matches is due to appear in court charged with a child sex offence.Gareth Viccars, 46, has been charged with “engaging in sexual activity” with a 15-year-old girl.The assistant referee appeared in court earlier this month (stock image)The assistant referee appeared in court earlier this month accused of “intentionally touching” a girl aged 15 “not reasonably believing she was 16 or over”.He has worked as an official for League One clashes in the EFL alongside his day job as an estate agent. Viccars appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court on February 7 charged with engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15, contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The assistant referee, from Milton Keynes, is alleged to have committed the offence in Romford, east London, on November 15, 2021. Read More on FootballOn March 7, he will appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London where a plea will be entered.He has not refereed in the EFL since last year, and last appeared on February 3 2024 when he was the fourth official League One Charlton Athletic v Derby County.The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which is responsible for the refereeing of games in professional English football, suspended Viccars while the police investigation was ongoing.A PGMOL spokesperson said: “As soon as the allegations came to light, Mr Viccars was immediately suspended.Most read in Football”As the matter is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, we are not in a position to comment any further.”Gareth Viccars will appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court next month (stock image)Credit: Getty More

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      Jude Bellingham could overturn red card and avoid 12-match ban by using ‘Mason Greenwood defence’

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      REAL MADRID star Jude Bellingham could be spared a hefty ban by mounting a defence used by Mason Greenwood last season.Bellingham, 21, was sent off during Los Blancos’ LaLiga clash with Osasuna on Saturday.Jude Bellingham was stunned to receive a red card on SaturdayCredit: AFPBellingham tried to argue his caseCredit: ReutersThe England star was adjudged to have said “f*** you” towards referee Jose Munuera.After the 1-1 draw Bellingham contested the decision, claiming that he actually said “f*** off”.Red cards for using “offensive terms or attitudes” towards match officials in LaLiga are punishable by bans of between four and 12 matches.Bellingham, however, will hope that his defence sees his red card rescinded.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLast season, during his loan spell at Getafe from Manchester United, Greenwood was sent off for allegedly saying “f*** you” to whistler Jorge Figueroa Vasquez.But it later emerged that the forward, now of Marseille, had actually sworn in frustration at how many times he had been fouled.Upon Greenwood’s ban being rescinded, a Spanish FA statement said: “The task of this disciplinary body is not to re-referee the matches, without determining, where appropriate, the existence of a manifest material error in the referee’s description of the action.”The repeated viewing of the images, in fact, has allowed this Committee to conclude, beyond any doubt, that the action that led to the expulsion did not occur as described by the referee and, ultimately, prove the material error manifest in the referee’s report.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSMason Greenwood was sent off during a clash with Rayo Vallecano last seasonCredit: EPA”These images demonstrate that the player actually said ‘One, two, three, four, f***.”After Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Osasuna, Bellingham said: “It’s clear that it was a mistake and there is a miscommunication.Jude Bellingham caught ‘humbling’ LaLiga rival who threatened to knock Real Madrid team-mate out ‘in 10 seconds'”I remember the incident very well but I’ve also seen the video and the video doesn’t match the report.”I don’t want to go too much in detail about what was said but it’s like a expression like ‘jo***’. I hope that the footage review can show that is not the same as the report and going forward that the federation can keep it under consideration because it’s huge evidence.”Obviously, we can’t change the result but I think that going forward there will be a change.”There was no insult. You can see clearly in the video. I remember the incident very well. It was an expression to myself not directed towards the referee.’A MISUNDERSTANDING'”But obviously, there was a misunderstanding of what he believes I said to him. It wasn’t an insult at all.”Last week, TV mics picked up an X-rated Bellingham rant directed at a linesman during Real Madrid’s clash with Atletico.He shouted: “F*** you man! F*** off!”Even though he swore at an official, the midfielder escaped any punishment on that occasion.READ MORE SUN STORIESShould he receive a standard three-game ban, he would still miss LaLiga clashes with Girona, Betis, and Rayo Vallecano.Boss Carlo Ancelotti was upset with the officials, rather than his player, after Saturday’s incident, saying: “I’ve nothing to say to Jude. I should talk to the referee, not to Jude.”Carlo Ancelotti stood by Bellingham after his red cardCredit: Reuters More

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      Jude Bellingham facing 12-MATCH ban after X-rated rant at referee as he releases statement apologising… to team-mates

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM could face 12 MATCHES on the sidelines following his red card for an X-rated rant towards the referee.Bellingham, 21, was sent off in the first half of Real Madrid’s 1-1 La Liga draw with Osasuna after what he claims was a “miscommunication” between him and referee Jose Munuera.Jude Bellingham was sent off for a rant toward the referee on SaturdayCredit: GettyBellingham claims the incident was a ‘miscommunication’Credit: ReutersThe referee’s report claimed that Bellingham told Munuera “f*** you”, resulting in his dismissal.However, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti claimed after the match that Bellingham had used the term “f*** off” instead, suggesting it is a phrase rather than a personal attack.He said: “I think the referee did not understand Jude Bellingham’s English. He said f*** off, not f*** you… that’s way different.”I won’t talk more about the referee as I want to be on the bench next week.”Bellingham could see himself banned for up to 12 GAMES for the sending off.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Spanish FA’s disciplinary Code says that any player guilty of “insulting, offending, or addressing the main referee, assistants, fourth official, directors, or sports authorities in offensive terms or attitudes” will be punished with a suspension of four to 12 matches.That astonishing ban means that, at the very least, Bellingham will miss Madrid’s La Liga bouts with Girona, Betis, and Rayo Vallecano, as well as the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad.Should the ban extend to the full 12 matches, Bellingham will then miss the majority of the remainder of the season.Carlo Ancelotti defended Bellingham after the matchCredit: AFPCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt’s yet to be confirmed how long Bellingham will be suspended.Most read in FootballBut the England superstar has already apologised to his team-mates for his red card, shutting down the talk about the misunderstanding at the same time.Jude Bellingham’s furious reaction to Valencia goalkeeper after Vinicius Jr sent off in heated Real Madrid clashSeemingly hinting at an immediate return to action, he wrote: “Enough said about the misunderstanding.”Just wanted to apologise again for leaving my team-mates in such a tough position and thank the fans for their support and understanding.”See you on Wednesday at home”.Bellingham defended himself while speaking to the media after the game on Saturday too.He told reporters: “It’s clear that it was a mistake and there is a miscommunication. I remember the incident very well but I’ve also seen the video and the video doesn’t match the report.“I don’t want to go too much in detail about what was said but it’s like a expression like ‘joder’.“I hope that the footage review can show that is not the same as the report and going forward that the federation can keep it under consideration because it’s huge evidence. “Obviously we can’t change the result but I think that going forward there will be a change.”He continued: “There was no insult. You can see clearly in the video. I remember the incident very well. It was an expression to myself not directed towards the referee. “But obviously there was a misunderstanding of what he believes I said to him. It wasn’t an insult at all.”Last week, TV mics picked up an X-rated Bellingham rant directed at a linesman during Real Madrid’s clash with Atletico.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe shouted: “F*** you man! F*** off!”Even though he swore at an official, the midfielder escaped any punishment on that occasion.Bellingham, 21, looked stunned to have been sent offCredit: AFP More

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      Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes promise after he’s charged for his role in heated Merseyside Derby chaos

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      ARNE SLOT has vowed to “act differently” after he was charged by the FA over his behaviour at the end of the Everton match.The Liverpool boss received a red card after shaking referee Michael Oliver’s hand in an aggressive manner while talking to him after the final whistle.Arne Slot vowed to change his behaviour after being charged by the FACredit: Sky SportsThe Liverpool boss was sent off at the end of the Everton matchCredit: GettyEverton and Liverpool were charged for failing to control their playersCredit: PACurtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure were sent off for their roles in sparking a meleeCredit: ReutersSlot was charged after allegedly “acting in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards the referee”.He has promised to change his behaviour following the incident, suggesting he will calm himself down before speaking to referees in future.Slot told Sky Sports: “I hope next time I will act differently.”The best thing to do is always go inside and calm down and then talk to the referee if you want to.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSunSport understands he was sent off for his comments, NOT the handshake.Slot, 46, has until Wednesday to respond to the FA charge so he was on the touchline for Wolves’ visit to Anfield.The FA website initially shared an update stating Slot would be banned for two games, but it was later taken down as it is understood Oliver’s post-match report still needs to be reviewed.Liverpool and Everton were both charged by the FA too for failing to control their players.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCurtis Jones received a second yellow card for his clash with Abdoulaye Doucoure, who was also sent off, after the Everton star goaded the travelling fans at full-time.Players, coaches, stewards and police rushed over to diffuse the situation but it only sparked a bigger melee.Everton and Liverpool stars sent off in post-match brawl as police intervene with Slot seeing red for handshake stunt More

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      ‘What must he have said?’ – Fans puzzled as Jude Bellingham sent off after straight red following heated row with ref

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM looked bewildered after being sent off following a row with the ref.The England midfielder, 21, was in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting line-up as Real Madrid took on Osasuna in LaLiga.Jude Bellingham was sent off during the clash with OsasunaCredit: GettyThe Real Madrid star was incensed by the decisionCredit: ReutersKylian Mbappe got the Spanish giants off to a great start, scoring after just 15 minutes.But their task became more difficult when Bellingham received his marching orders on 39 minutes.As Real Madrid prepared to take a goal kick, the former Birmingham ace could be seen talking to referee Jose Munuera.When Bellingham gestured and turned his back, Munuera appeared to grow agitated.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe whistled for play to remain paused before immediately brandishing his red card.Bellingham stood with his hands on his hips, not quite believing what had happened.Real Madrid stars including Vinicius Jr and Mbappe surrounded the referee in protest at the decision.But it was to no avail, with Bellingham heading in for an early bath.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBellingham, 21, looked stunned to have been sent offCredit: AFPFans watching on at home were left perplexed.One asked: “What must he have said?”Jude Bellingham’s furious reaction to Valencia goalkeeper after Vinicius Jr sent off in heated Real Madrid clashWhile a second moaned: “Protest should be yellow card offence max. Never seen a player shown straight red card for protest in my whole life.”And a third commented: “It’s the same thing that he did versus Man City except this time he got a red card.”Down to 10 men, Real Madrid conceded an equaliser via Ante Budimir’s 58th minute penalty, with the match going on to finish 1-1.After the draw, Ancelotti sought to shed some light on the incident.The Italian said: “I think the referee did not understand Jude Bellingham’s English. He said f*** off, not f*** you… that’s way different.”I won’t talk more about the referee as I want to be on the bench next week.”‘I’M TALKING TO YOU WITH RESPECT, F*** OFF’On if he will talk to Bellingham about his conduct, Ancelotti added: “I’ve nothing to say to Jude. I should talk to the referee, not to Jude.”Real Madrid reporter Lucas Navarrete claims that Bellingham said: “I’m talking to you with respect, f*** off.”After the game, Bellingham apologised to his team-mates for getting sent off – but insisted that the referee had “made a mistake”.Last week, TV mics picked up an X-rated Bellingham rant directed at a linesman during Real Madrid’s clash with Atletico.He shouted: “F*** you man! F*** off!”Even though he swore at an official, the midfielder escaped any punishment on that occasion.READ MORE SUN STORIESLast season, Mason Greenwood saw red while at Getafe for appearing to tell a referee to “f*** off.”The former Manchester United forward denied those words, instead claiming to have said “don’t f*** with me”.Carlo Ancelotti defended Bellingham after the matchCredit: AFP More

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      The ‘middle-ground’ that could save VAR, as FA Cup proved football can do just fine without it

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      FOOTBALL life without VAR is bearable.More than that – by all the evidence from the FA Cup so far, it is a reasonable proposition.VAR continues to cause controversy week after week in the Premier LeagueCredit: AlamyNewcastle’s FA Cup win at League One Birmingham showed we don’t need total VARCredit: GettyOne incident in particular provides support for this view. It occurred when Birmingham goalkeeper Bailey Peacock- Farrell beat away a shot from Newcastle’s Joe Willock on or beyond the goal-line.Blues supporters thought the man with the fanciest name in football had just kept out the shot until the linesman flagged and referee Matt Donohue waved play to the centre spot.Willock had equalised and his side went on to win the fourth-round tie 3-2.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLWith no goal-line technology in play because the match was held at a League One ground, imagine VAR trying to pick that apart.Referee Donahue would have asked for a ruling on a very tight decision. Cue a delay while set-squares and microscopes were (imaginatively) brought into play and a verdict finally reached.Not exactly the magic of technology.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSI prefer the speed of the ref’s reaction, his assistant’s verdict here was swift and almost certainly correct. No VAR no cry. What a shame that we’ll now see VAR used for the rest of the competition.Moment Nottingham Forest fans ‘try to bribe Anthony Taylor’ during VAR check as hilarious footage goes viralIt used to be carry-on regardless in the Premier League, too, but in the endless squabble between perfectionists and realists, the seekers of absolute truth won.It may be less than an invention to suggest a referee be able to press a button and an AI verdict will come back instantly with an answer.Until that slightly worrying day, let us be pleased that necessity led the FA for a while to abide by the whistle and leave VAR to gather dust.People fortunate enough to support a Premier League club are less lucky and have total VAR complete with constant interruptions. EFL have it in play-off finals and promise it elsewhere very soon.There are, it is true, several plusses to technology, such as quick and correct answers on whether a goal-line has been crossed.MARK HALSEY: Questions have to be asked of VAR after Lewis-Skelly sending off… here’s what SHOULD have happenedBy Mark HalseyVAR Darren England should have recommended a review as soon as referee Michael Oliver showed Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly a straight red card for his challenge on Wolves’ Matt Doherty.An official has to decide whether the challenge was careless or reckless — careless is a free-kick only, reckless is a yellow card — or worthy of a red card.When a player lunges at an opponent with one or two feet from the front, the side or from the back which endangers the player’s safety with excess force or/and brutality, it must be sanctioned with a red.I saw it as a reckless challenge worthy of a yellow, not a red.So why did Darren not recommend a review? Once the red card was shown, the VAR should have intervened.If Michael had the opportunity to view the challenge again, I’m sure he would have changed his mind, cancelled the red card and issued a yellow.As for Arsenal fans’ views that Michael is biased against them, I’m not buying into that. You can never question the integrity of a match official and Michael is one of our best referees.Officials cannot get everything right and that is why we have VAR to help. So questions have to be asked of Darren.With the second yellow for Joao Gomes after catching Jurrien Timber on the ankle, you could argue that was a worse challenge than the Lewis-Skelly one.The major success of VAR, however, is the speed and precision of offside verdicts.Linesmen are good judges but inevitably do not always find it possible to decide on the basis of the length of a foot or elbow. On VAR it is a doddle and quick.Not so with free-kicks or yellow or red cards. These decisions are sometimes a good deal longer and often dubious.VAR itself does not make corrections, it is a helpmate for refs to make theirs.The methodology is sound but perfection is no easier to find than the holy grail. Never-before-seen moment in English football as referee speaks to crowd to confirm why Spurs goal ruled out vs LiverpoolStill, because VAR gives referees a second look, it soon became the Japanese knotweed of our game – once present, nothing short of a bomb will stop it.Various methods are being tried to speed up the process and waiting times have been cut to average 64 seconds. Yet the solution is easy to see. Bin total VAR. Trust the ref.Football was successful for well over a century before VAR. Referees in those days might have protested at being held responsible for United or City losing but the truth is they still are.They are the focus of the blame game and although do-gooders thought VAR would rectify all errors and cut down offensive and obscene shouting among fans, it hasn’t.READ MORE SUN STORIESOverall, I would compromise. Tech works on line decisions but is very slow and almost as faulty for fouls given by refs who take only a fraction of the time.And it’s easier to forgive a wrong decision made by genuine human error, than one made by a machine. More