Introduction
In a recent discussion about officiating in football, Howard Webb has addressed the controversial red card handed to Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly during the match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. According to Webb, the decision to send off Lewis-Skelly was incorrect, but he maintained that referee Michael Oliver’s judgment was not a ‘horrendous’ one.
The Incident and Its Aftermath
During the first half of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Wolves, Lewis-Skelly fouled Matt Doherty, which led to Oliver issuing a red card. This decision sparked considerable outrage, ultimately prompting Arsenal to appeal against the red card. The appeal was successful, and the red card was overturned, though Arsenal incurred a fine of £65,000 due to their on-field reaction to the call.
Referee’s Decision-Making Insights
In the latest episode of ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’, the released audio highlighted the lack of intervention by VAR Darren England, who showed no eagerness to send Oliver to the monitor for a review. Webb criticizes this stance, believing that England should have recognized the ‘glanced studs’ from Lewis-Skelly that indicated he should remain on the field of play. This supports Webb’s assertion that the officiating crew’s decision could have benefited from a thorough review process.
In conclusion, while the exact judgment made during the match can be debated, it is clear that discussions surrounding officiating protocols and VAR interventions are ongoing. Howard Webb’s insights contribute to a broader dialogue on how to improve decision-making in football.
