Former Premier League referees deliver damning verdict on Newcastle United v Aston Villa controversy

Two former Premier League referees have claimed Newcastle United defender Sven Botman was fortunate not to receive a red card in Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat against Aston Villa.

The former Lille defender was at the heart of the game’s most controversial moment as he produced a strong challenge on visitors forward Nicolas Jackson just after the quarter-hour mark at St James Park. Botman made some contact with the ball but also caught the Senegal international with a challenge that has led to a number of Premier League players being dismissed in recent seasons.

However, on-field official Jarred Gillett awarded a yellow card to Botman and his decision was supported by VAR official Stuart Attwell. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher insisted a more stern punishment could have been handed out to the Magpies star as he admitted the challenge had ‘everything for a red card tackle’.

Speaking on Sky Sports ‘Ref Watch’, the former Premier League official said: “I think it’s a red card. I think it’s got everything for a red card tackle. It’s got speed, intent, scissors him. I also think the referee could have avoided that because the Joelinton tackle is a yellow card and he gets a yellow card quite rightly. But like I said last week, if you penalise that, hit the whistle, yellow card, the second one doesn’t happen. There’s a number of things. It’s the speed he comes at, the distance he travels, the fact it’s maximum intensity.”

Gallagher’s fellow former Premier League referee Graham Barber also described Botman as ‘lucky’ to avoid a more severe punishment - but refuted claims the on and off-field decisions were ‘obvious’.

He told GiveMeSport: "You know I'm a big fan of the on-field referee making the decision because VAR should only be in place to stop the mistakes of the referee. Is it a clear and obvious error on behalf of Botman? No, but I think he's lucky. I think the challenge was reckless. Is he in control? Answer: no. Was there, was there an attempt to play the ball? I don't think so. Was it high and above the ball? Yes. Did it endanger the safety of the opponent? Yes.

"So I think he's a lucky boy. But was it an obvious error from VAR's point of view? No, because it was an opinion. Did Jarred get it wrong? No, it's his opinion. He made a decision on the field of play, and I praise him for doing that. Was Botman lucky? I think yes."

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