Anthony Taylor sent off John Duran in Aston Villa’s Boxing Day defeat to Newcastle despite being advised by two of his colleagues on the pitch that the challenge on Fabian Schar was not a red card.
Duran was shown a straight red card by Taylor after he was deemed to have stood on Shear deliberately.
That decision angered Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery after the game, who said: “Three matches for this red card is difficult to accept. There was no intent to kick him.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Unai Emery was unhappy with John Duran’s red card after the Aston Villa forward clashed with Newcastle’s Fabian Schar.
“We work a lot with him to teach him. He goes as we decide for him, but the referees have to be fair in making decisions over time.”
Aston Villa later unsuccessfully appealed to have the three-match ban overturned.
In the latest edition of Match Officials Mic’d Up, PGMOL boss Howard Webb took a look at the incident, including a tape of the match from the officials involved.
What did the officials say?
Referee Taylor. “Give up…”
4th official“It looks random from here.”
Second assistant referee. “So Duran is walking in the back. To me, it’s more of a reckless act than anything else. He’s kind of trying to stop and then land in the wrong place.”
Referee Taylor. “Okay…”
Second assistant referee. — So, Duran, be careful.
Referee Taylor. “Go away, he (Shar) is holding another place here (on his body).
First assistant referee. “He is caught between the legs.”
Referee Taylor“I will get a red card.”
OUR “Okay, we got a red card on the field.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
FREE TO VIEW. Highlights from Newcastle’s win over Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Referee Taylor presents the red card and says: “Nowhere near the ball.”
OUR “Checking the red card decision on the pitch. OK, studs on the backside, stud bounce.”
Referee Taylor talks to the players“If it’s wrong, I’ll change it, okay?”
OUR “Okay, show me that one more time.
Replay Operator: “Can I show you a wider angle if you want?”
OUR “Please…”
Referee Taylor talks to the players“He’s nowhere near the ball and he’s got his studs in him.”
The VAR takes ten seconds, looking at the wider angle and saying: “I’m happy. Tails confirmed the red card decision on the pitch. The check is complete.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The Ref Watch panel looks at the red card John Duran received against Newcastle on Boxing Day, a decision Unai Emery strongly disagreed with.
Webb’s verdict. The referee was in the best position to see the incident
PGMOL Chief Howard Webb.
“You can hear a number of opinions in the reports. The fourth official makes a comment based on what he sees. It may be a yellow card. But the best official in the game is the one who is behind the situation.
“He sees Fabian Schar make that clean tackle and then Duran takes a few steps and then moves his right foot to the back of Schar on the floor. He thinks it’s a deliberate move one with manners.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Mike Dean comments on John Duran’s red card against Newcastle
“It’s always difficult to read players’ minds, you have to judge the actions we see, the physical evidence to make our judgments. And in this situation the referee saw the action and felt it was a red card offence.
“And the VAR saw that leg movement on Sharr’s back and didn’t feel the referee’s call was obviously wrong, he probably agreed with it and it stood as an on-field call.”
Owen then makes a devil’s advocate point that Duran is becoming unbalanced and asks if that will affect thinking.
“You need a level of certainty to send off a player, the referee had that. He has a great understanding of it, he would see the dynamic movement as the two players pass and fight for the ball.
“Then he sees him, he feels that right foot coming in, going somewhere else, it could have gone on past the player or to the left or right of the player.
“But the referee felt that the action of the right foot that went down the back of the opponent was violent behavior and he sent him off the field. It should have ended when the referee’s call was given for violent behavior.”
The web discusses more incidents at Match Officials Mic’d Up
Howard Webb also looked at five other Premier League incidents in the latest edition of Match Officials Mic’d Up.Click play on the videos below to hear his thoughts…
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
PGMOL boss Howard Webb admits the penalty involving William Saliba and Joao Pedro was unusual, but agrees the Frenchman did commit a foul.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
PGMOL boss Howard Webb says Anthony Gordon’s goal against Spurs was correctly awarded after contact from Joelinton’s hand in the build-up to The Toon’s goal.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
PGMOL boss Howard Webb explains why Mathews Cunha’s goal against Manchester United was the right thing to do in his side’s 2-0 win.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
PGMOL boss Howard Webb explains why Aaron Ramsdale was dismissed moments before Trevor Chalobah’s goal against Southampton.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Speaking on Match Officials Mic’d Up, Howard Webb explains why he believes Guido Rodriguez’s dismissal was correctly overturned against Southampton.
