The Premier League has said David Brooks avoided a red card for dragging Chelsea‘s Marc Cucurella to the ground because it was NOT violent conduct.
A statement read: “VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible red card to Brooks for violent conduct. Upon review, the referee deemed that the challenge on Cucurella was a reckless action and not violent conduct – and issued a yellow card to Brooks.”
Referee Rob Jones consulted the pitchside monitor after being alerted to a potential violent conduct offence after Welsh winger Brooks appeared to use his arm to bring Cucurella down as Chelsea tried to start a counterattack.
It had looked like Brooks was about to be sent off but following half a dozen views of the incident Jones instead decided to show a yellow card, much to the frustration of Chelsea players and supporters at Stamford Bridge.
Brooks had required medical attention early in the game following a collision with Cucurella that did not result in a full VAR check. Cole Palmer had put Chelsea in front but Justin Kluivert levelled from the penalty spot after Moises Caicedo had taken down Antoine Semenyo early in the second half. Semenyo then put the Cherries ahead in the 68th minute.
The incident between Brooks and Cucurella is not the first time that Cucurella’s hair-do has been at the heart of dramatics. Southampton defender Jack Stephens was also sent off for pulling the Spaniard’s hair last month.
A statement from the Premier League at the time explained: “38’ VAR OVERTURN The VAR recommended an on-field review for possible violent conduct for Jack Stephens. The referee then issued a red card.”
Should Brooks have been sent off vs Chelsea? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Tottenham star Cristian Romero was also embroiled in a controversial incident with Cucurella back in 2022. The Argentine escaped further punishment, that decision being slammed by the Chelsea man.
He said: “For me it is too clear in the game, on the pitch. I didn’t see it on the TV, the video. I think it’s very clear, but this is one error of the referee or VAR.
“Sometimes the referees have good decisions, sometimes not. This is not my problem. Maybe we need to work harder to not concede this goal in the last minute.
“I saw [VAR] checking for a red card in the stadium. For me it is clear. In this moment, I don’t know what happened.”
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