Ex-ref explains why David Raya wasn’t sent off vs Bournemouth | OneFootball

Former referee Mark Halsey has explained why he believes it was the correct decision not to send off David Raya against Bournemouth on Saturday.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: David Raya of Arsenal clashes with Evanilson of AFC Bournemouth in the box, leading to a penalty awarded to AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Many Arsenal fans were left feeling hard done by once again over the weekend, as the team picked up their third red card in six Premier League matches.

The decision for VAR to intervene and upgrade William Saliba’s yellow card to a red seemed an odd one, with no clear reason why the initial call by the on-field referee was an obvious error. The official was simply asked to re-referee the incident.

Yet while Arsenal fans complained about another red card after the game, some rival fans were arguing that the Gunners were lucky to end the match with 10.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: William Saliba of Arsenal leaves the pitch after receiving a red card, as Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, gestures during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Later in the game, David Raya conceded a penalty for a foul on Evanilson, but he didn’t receive a yellow or red card.

The referee evidently judged that the incident wasn’t a clear goalscoring opportunity, as Evanilson’s touch was running to covering defender Gabriel. Given the foul wasn’t reckless or violent, a penalty sufficed.

Former referee Mark Halsey has argued that Raya shouldn’t have seen red even if it had been judged a clear goalscoring opportunity, as he made a genuine attempt to play the ball.

“The ball’s there within playing distance,” Halsey said. “So he’s making that dive, isn’t he? I think that’s the correct decision. He has made a genuine attempt. It looks like he’s going to try to block the ball.

“I don’t want to see goalkeepers or players sent off for those situations, and that’s why the law was brought in.

“He’s trying to spread his body to try and get to the ball or push the ball away.”

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: David Raya of Arsenal fails to save as Justin Kluivert of AFC Bournemouth (obscured) scores his team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

The law change that Halsey is referring to is the removal of the “triple punishment” penalty rule.

It used to be that a player denying a clear goalscoring opportunity in the penalty area would concede a penalty, receive a red card, and also receive a suspension.

That was ultimately deemed to be unnecessarily harsh, so the punishment for denying a goalscoring opportunity in the penalty area was downgraded to a yellow card and a penalty – as long as you make a genuine attempt to win the ball.

Dragging someone down by their shirt or pulling a Suarez and stopping a shot with your hand as an outfield player is still going to be a red card. But if you try and win the ball, as Raya did, it’s only a yellow at most.