The conversation that took place between Michael Oliver and VAR before Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent-off against Wolves has been released.
Lewis-Skelly was controversially shown a red card by Oliver in the first-half of the Gunners’ 1-0 win at Wolves for a foul on Matt Doherty. The decision was later overturned after an appeal but the club were handed a £65,000 fine for their reaction at the time.
Mikel Arteta had expressed his anger at the decision, saying: “I am absolutely fuming but I leave it with you. Because it is that obvious, I don’t think my words are going to help.”
On-field referee Oliver issued a red card after not being advised to review his decision on the pitchside monitor by VAR Darren England. Nearly a month since the incident, PGMOL chief Howard Webb has spoken out publicly about the incident, claiming VAR should have intervened.
The conversation between Oliver, England and the assistant referee has also been released. The transcript is below:
Referee (Michael Oliver): “I’m going to go red card, mate. Red card on the ankle. Red card, serious foul play.”
VAR (Darren England): “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.”
(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.)
Assistant VAR: “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.”
VAR: “So first impact is on the Achilles, on the shin.”
Assistant VAR: “With no chance of playing the ball.”
VAR: “So, it’s high up above the ankle then it comes back down. OK, just get me the number please.”
Assistant VAR: “It’s number 49, Lewis-Skelly.”
VAR: “Michael, confirming the on-field decision of red card for serious foul play for Myles Lewis-Skelly. Away, 49. Check complete.”
Join the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel
Join our Arsenal WhatsApp channel and get all the latest breaking news, opinion, podcasts and in-depth stories from football.london’s dedicated Arsenal writers straight to your phone!
By following this free service you will be the first to know the news from the Emirates Stadium as it happens, when it happens.
To join our dedicated Arsenal channel, all you have to do is click this link and you can join thousands of others following our Gunners coverage!
If you’re curious, you can check out our privacy policy here.
