What the Referees Actually Said About Duran’s Sending Off
Much has been said about Jhon Durán’s first-half dismissal in Aston Villa’s 3-0 Boxing Day defeat to Newcastle. Beyond Villa fans questioning the decision, Match of the Day and several media pundits argued that a red card should not have been given.
Villa later appealed the decision, but they were unsuccessful in overturning the three-match ban that followed. That said, expectations for mitigation were low given how such cases often unfold.
What’s particularly intriguing, however, is the below transcript from the mic’d-up officials on the day, as featured on the recent Sky Sports’ Match Officials Mic’d Up show. In the recording, before referee Anthony Taylor ultimately decides that Durán deliberately stood on Fabian Schär, the fourth official and assistant referee initially describe the incident as an “accidental” and “reckless act,” rather than one with deliberate intent.
Taylor then sees to make his ultimate judgment based on the reaction of Schar, as opposed to the actions of Duran.
To be fair to Taylor, he does give VAR a clear chance to change his mind, when he says to Villa players on the pitch questioning his decision – “If it’s wrong I’ll change it, ok?”
Obviously, in such a subjective incident, VAR is more than likely going to go with the ref’s on-field decision.
However, from what we learn from the below conversation between the officials. Note to players – if you want to get a member of the opposition sent off, just hold your groin and roll around.
Transcript of the Officials on the Duran Incident
What the officials said:
Referee Taylor: “Tackle…”
4th official: “It looks accidental from here.”
Assistant Referee Two: “So Duran steps on the back. For me, it’s a reckless act rather than anything more. He’s sort of trying to stop and then lands in the wrong place.”
Referee Taylor: “Ok…”
Assistant Referee Two: “So, Duran caution.”
Referee Taylor: “Hang on, he [Schar] is holding somewhere else here [on his body].
Assistant Referee One: “He is holding between his legs.”
Referee Taylor: “I’m going red card.”
VAR: “Ok, we’ve got a red card on-field.”
Referee Taylor presents the red card and says: “Nowhere near the ball.”
VAR: “Checking the on-field decision of red card. Ok, so there’s a clear action of the studs, raking studs, across the back.”
Referee Taylor, speaking to the players: “If it’s wrong I’ll change it, ok?”
VAR: “Ok, show me that once more? We’ve got raking studs through the glute and up the back.”
Replay Operator: “I can show you a wider angle if you want?”
VAR: “Please…”
Referee Taylor, speaking to players: “He’s nowhere near the ball and he’s put his studs in him.”
VAR takes ten seconds looking at the wider angle and says: “I’m happy. Tayls, confirming on-field decision of red card. Check complete.”
What do you think? Feel free to drop your views in the comments. Should they have gone through a different process and reacted differently?
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