Why Sven Botman wasn’t sent off against Aston Villa as Howard Webb explains VAR’s decision

The Newcastle defender was booked for his challenge on Nicolas Jackson, with VAR leaving the referee’s decision unchanged.

Howard Webb has backed the decision not to send off Sven Botman against Aston Villa, while accepting that a red card would also have stood.

Referee Jarred Gillett booked the Newcastle United defender for his challenge on Nicolas Jackson during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat. VAR checked the incident and upheld the yellow.

The Premier League’s explanation includes Gillett’s assessment that Botman’s touch on the ball did not prevent the tackle from being reckless.

Why was Sven Botman not shown a red card?

Speaking on Tuesday’s Match Officials Mic’d Up, Webb described the challenge as “high-end reckless”.

He said VAR had not identified forceful studs-first contact with Jackson’s ankle or shin, or a closing scissor movement. Those features could have prompted a different outcome.

His explanation on Sky Sports centred on whether Gillett had made an obvious mistake that required intervention.

How could a red card also have stood?

The IFAB VAR protocol requires a clear and obvious error before an original decision is changed. A potential sending-off can be checked even when the referee has awarded a yellow.

That creates two separate judgements: how the referee assesses the challenge, and whether the video evidence demonstrates that his decision needs correcting.

An official watching the footage might favour a different punishment without considering the original call sufficiently wrong to recommend a review. The referee retains responsibility for the final decision.

The protocol also distinguishes between replay speeds. Slow motion can help establish where contact occurred; normal-speed footage should generally be used to assess the intensity of a challenge.

Does getting the ball rule out a red card?

No. Under Law 12, the punishment depends on the nature of the challenge.

A reckless tackle, made without proper regard for the danger or consequences for an opponent, warrants a booking. A challenge involving excessive force or putting an opponent’s safety at risk is serious foul play and requires a sending-off.

Making contact with the ball does not remove those requirements. Nor does the law require an opponent to suffer an injury before a player can be dismissed.

Botman remained on the pitch, but Newcastle were beaten by Johan Manzambi’s goal as Villa secured a 1-0 victory at St James’ Park.