Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer at Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), has defended the decision to show Sven Botman only a yellow card for his tackle on Nicolas Jackson, insisting there was nothing "clearly wrong" with the way VAR handled the incident during Newcastle United's 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Webb's explanation of the VAR process

Speaking on Match Officials Mic'd Up, Webb acknowledged the challenge was aggressive but argued that the referee on the pitch — Jarred Gillett — had made a legitimate on-the-spot assessment, classifying it as a reckless but not red-card offence. Webb stressed that VAR's role this season is specifically to avoid re-refereeing on-field calls.

"We've really tried to encourage referees this season to make decisive on-field decisions," Webb said. "The VAR looks at that decision and tries to identify whether it was clearly wrong. We don't want the referee's decision to be re-refereed by the VAR; we want the referee to have ownership of the decision and the VAR to only step in when there's an element that's clearly wrong."

Webb noted that VAR Stuart Attwell reviewed the footage and found no conclusive evidence of studs making forceful contact with Jackson's ankle or shin, and no definitive scissor action that would have overturned the yellow card. "If the VAR had seen strong stud contact from Botman's extended leg into the ankle or shin of Jackson, or there had been a closing of the scissor, I think we'd have probably come out with a different outcome," Webb added.

Pundits and Jackson were unconvinced

The yellow card drew sharp criticism from Sky Sports pundits. Jamie Redknapp called the decision alarming, saying: "If VAR can't see that's a red, we're in trouble. It is so dangerous." Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher said on Ref Watch the challenge "had everything" for a red card — speed, intensity, and a scissoring motion.

Jackson himself spoke out after the match: "The referee said it was a yellow card but it was so high. Hopefully next time it is a red card. I nearly broke my leg, but it's fine. It's part of football."

What the VAR officials said

The communications between VAR Attwell and assistant VAR Craig Taylor, revealed on Match Officials Mic'd Up, show the pair determining that Botman played the ball and that there was no definitive stud-to-leg contact and no secondary scissor action. Attwell ultimately confirmed: "Jarred, confirming yellow card for Sven Botman and confirming yellow card for Joelinton. Two reckless tackles."

Bentancur red card and Shaw yellow backed by Webb

Webb also addressed the flashpoint between Rodrigo Bentancur and Luke Shaw in Tottenham Hotspur's 1-1 draw at Manchester United, calling the outcomes "absolutely the right outcome." Bentancur was sent off for headbutting Shaw, who had shoved him to the ground. Shaw received a yellow card.

"When players make contact with their head, they're running a really high risk. It's seen as a violent act," Webb said, explaining that contact to the face or head must be deemed negligible to avoid a red card — which it was not in Bentancur's case. He acknowledged Shaw's push was forceful but noted that pushes to the chest rarely result in red cards.

Rogers and Palmer tackles left unaddressed

Webb did not comment on two other contentious incidents: Morgan Rogers avoiding a red card and Cole Palmer escaping a second yellow card during Chelsea's 2-0 win at Everton on Saturday. Former Premier League referee Mike Dean and pundits Jay Bothroyd and Tim Sherwood all argued Rogers, at minimum, should have been sent off.