Premier League explain controversial VAR decision after Tarkowski tackle | OneFootball

The Premier League’s Match Centre account has released a statement explaining the VAR decision not to send off Everton defender James Tarkowski in the Merseyside Derby.

Tarkowski was booked for a reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister during the early stages of Everton’s clash with Liverpool at Anfield. The centre-back met the ball forcefully before a high follow through caught Mac Allister high on the leg. The Argentine was left writhing in pain after the tackle but was ok to continue.

Onlookers were left stunned at referee Samuel Barrot’s initial decision to award a yellow card, a verdict that was controversially upheld despite a VAR check. The challenge was widely condemned, with former Premier League referee Mike Dean branding the incident as a ‘horrible challenge’ on Sky Sports News.

On Tarkowski’s tackle, Dean said: “He should have gone to the screen and he should be off. It is a horrible challenge. It is a red card all day.”

A social media post on the Premier League’s Match Centre account was released moments after the challenge and said Tarkowski was deemed to have ‘played the ball’.

“The referee’s call of yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with contact on the follow through after Tarkowski had played the ball deemed to be reckless,” the post read.

Incredibly, Tarkowski has now been booked the joint-most times in Premier League history, without being shown a red card (63).

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