Why Arsenal’s Saliba Saw Red While Tosin Got Yellow: Breaking Down the Key VAR Decisions
In the cases of William Saliba’s red card and Tosin Adarabioyo’s yellow card, the differences stem from the application of the Laws of the Game, specifically in assessing whether the player denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO). According to the VAR protocol, four key factors are evaluated:
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- Distance between the attacker and goal
- General direction of the play
- Likelihood of controlling or retaining the ball
- Location and number of defenders
In Saliba’s case, all these factors came together to justify the red card. Evanilson was in a prime position to control the ball, with the play heading directly towards goal, and there were no defenders nearby who could recover in time to challenge him. This made it clear that Saliba’s foul denied a clear scoring chance.
On the other hand, Tosin Adarabioyo’s challenge on Diogo Jota was different. While it may have seemed similar in nature, the ball was played towards the right side rather than directly at goal, and Levi Colwill’s presence in the defensive line meant there was potential cover. This diminished Jota’s chances of gaining full control of the ball and completing a scoring opportunity, leading to a yellow card instead of a red.
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This highlights how slight variations in positioning, defensive cover, and the direction of play can significantly impact the outcome of a foul under DOGSO criteria.
Why Arsenal’s Saliba Saw Red While Tosin Got Yellow: Breaking Down the Key VAR Decisions
