In Chelsea’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Tottenham, a contentious moment before halftime could have dramatically altered the game. Moisés Caicedo’s heavy challenge was initially overlooked by officials, although many believed it warranted a red card. The challenge involved Caicedo making contact with Tottenham’s player in a manner that appeared dangerous, yet VAR audio reveals the reasoning behind the decision to keep him on the pitch.
The VAR Explanation
According to the VAR audio, the challenge was not considered serious enough to warrant a red card. The audio stated, “He catches him at a glancing blow and then down onto the floor… I don’t think that’s serious foul play. There’s no evidence for excessive force.” The VAR team concluded that the force used by Caicedo was not excessive enough to qualify as a serious foul.
Dermot Gallagher’s Analysis
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher also weighed in on the incident, suggesting that a yellow card would have been more appropriate. He stated, “I think he goes down, puts his foot into the ground and doesn’t go through it — that’s what saves him.” Gallagher pointed out that had Caicedo’s boot made contact higher on the shin, he would have likely received a red card.
Conclusion and Aftermath
Despite the controversy, Caicedo avoided a red card and will be available for Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League match against Brentford. Tottenham fans, however, may point to the challenge as a key turning point in the match, which could have altered the outcome.
