The Premier League have released a statement on why VAR intervened to ensure Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off against West Ham.
Arsenal were desperate for all three points to increase the pressure on league leaders Liverpool as Arne Slot’s side prepare to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
But the 18-year-old defender brought down Hammers forward Mohammed Kudus just inside the Arsenal half in the 71st minute of the Gunners’ must-win clash at the Emirates Stadium, with Mikel Arteta’s side trailing 1-0 at the time to a Jarrod Bowen goal in the first half.
Lewis-Skelly was initially booked for the challenge, but West Ham players called for a red card, as Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was some 45 yards outside of his goal.
The referee Craig Pawson was sent by VAR to the Referee Review Area, and sent off Lewis-Skelly for a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
And now the Premier League have released a statement on the decision. It reads: “VAR checked the referee’s call of yellow card to Lewis-Skelly for a challenge on Kudus. Deeming it denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity due to the goalkeeper’s position and there being no covering defender, therefore recommended an on-field review.”
The statement continued: “The referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card.”
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