Premier League referee makes history as he refuses to send off Bournemouth star who ‘clotheslined Cucurella’
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PREMIER LEAGUE referee Robert Jones made history when he refused to send off David Brooks for a “clothesline” challenge on Marc Cucurella. The incident occurred during last night’s clash between Chelsea and Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. The Blues took the lead through Cole Palmer before the visitors turned the game on its head for 2-1.
![[Referee reviewing a soccer play on the VAR monitor.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-referee-robert-jones-looks-963762635.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
And it took a last-gasp Reece James free-kick to rescue a point for Enzo Maresca’s side, who have now gone five games without a win. However, Chelsea felt they were hard done by when Cucurella was smashed by Brooks while making a forward run. Bournemouth’s Welshman appeared to “clothesline” the Spaniard, according to fans online.
![[Soccer players on the field.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/OFF-PLATFORM-clothesline.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
And it saw VAR recommend a red card review for violent conduct at the pitchside monitor. However, referee Jones did not see things the same way. After watching a replay of the incident, he went against VAR’s recommendation and instead gave Brooks a yellow card.
![[Referee showing David Brooks a yellow card during a soccer match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-afc-bournemouths-david-brooks-963762626.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
It marked the first time in Premier League history that a referee has rejected a red-card review at the monitor. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS. It was also the first VAR monitor rejection this season. And the Premier League’s Match Centre explained Jones’ thinking in a social media post.
![[Referee showing a yellow card to Marc Cucurella.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/referee-robert-jones-speaks-marc-963765469.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
It read: “VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible red card to Brooks for violent conduct. “Upon review, the referee deemed that the challenge on Cucurella was a reckless action and not violent conduct — and issue a yellow card to Brooks.”.
