Premier League releases statement after 'easy' red card missed despite VAR
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Brighton star Joao Pedro would have earned an "easy" red card against Brentford if his elbow connected with Yehor Yarmoliuk's head, claims Mark Clattenburg. Pedro was lucky to avoid an early bath during Brighton's 0-0 draw with Brentford after appearing to show frustration during a duel with Yarmoliuk, swinging his arm around towards the Ukrainian after he pulled at his shirt but narrowly missing.
VAR officials reviewed the footage but opted not to send Pedro off, with the Premier League later releasing a statement explaining why he avoided punishment. "The referee’s call of no red card to Joao Pedro for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed the referee’s call was not clear and obviously wrong," the statement read.
Former Premier League referee Clattenburg agreed with the decision, but warned that it would have been an "easy" decision for referee Andy Madley if Pedro had made any contact. Clattenburg said: "If we look at the laws of the game as it's written, it has to be to strike an opponent or attempt to strike an opponent. Because there was no contact he can't be sent off the field of play for the contact. Therefore, it's whether he attempted to strike the opponent. The more I look at it, because it's an unusual action, especially from behind he is looking towards Andy Madley when he swings his arm. He keeps his arm quite close to his body and I think it's more of a gesture to the referee.
