Exclusive: VAR use ‘questionable’ for Jake O’Brien incident in Everton vs Arsenal
Keith Hackett has questioned the way the officials reached the decision to book Everton defender Jake O’Brien during his side’s clash with Arsenal.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA exclusively told Football Insider that the decision to show a yellow card to the 23-year-old was ultimately the correct one, even if he is unsure about how it came about.
David Moyes‘ side welcomed the Gunners to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon (5 April), with time running out before their departure from their famous old home stadium.
Everton would claim a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in that match, as Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty shotly after half time cancelled out Leandro Trossard’s opener.
Another talking point came early on in that game, with the yellow card that was shown to O’Brien and the way that it was reached.
Jake O’Brien and Ben Whire clash in Arsenal penalty area
With 18 minutes on the clock, White went down inside his own penalty area, with replays showing that he had been hauled to the ground by O’Brien.
That incident then appeared checked by VAR, which can of course not interfere on yellow card offences, before the Everton defender was booked by Darren England.
In a statement issued by PGMOL, it was clarified that VAR had agreed with the apparent on-pitch decision not to show a red card to O’Brien for that challenge on the Arsenal man.
It was subsequently reported by The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland that the yellow card had apparently been issued to the full-back by referee England on the advice of the assistant referee.
Now, Hackett has suggested that O’Brien definitely deserved to be punished but the involvement of the Premier League Match Centre was confusing.
Keith Hackett reacts to Everton yellow card confusion
After being asked by Football Insider about the process that led to O’Brien being booked, the former referee said:
“Firstly, the referee should have been better positioned to see the Arsenal player wrestled to the ground. Totally unacceptable behaviour by O’Brian
“The yellow card was the correct decision but how they got to it was questionable under the VAR criteria. I do not know why there needs to be a statement from the Premier League Match Centre.
“The assistant referee in line with his operational duties does have the authority to advise the referee regarding any off the ball incident.”
Following that draw Arsenal are now 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool, having played a game more than Arne Slot’s side.
Everton meanwhile have another point clear of the relegation zone, having now seemingly all but secured their place in the Premier League for next season.