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Leaked VAR Audio Reveals Why Bruno Guimaraes Avoided Red Against Arsenal
Leaked VAR audio appears to show why Newcastle United midfielder, Bruno Guimaraes evaded a red card against the Gunners, which would infuriate Arsenal.
The Newcastle vs Arsenal Premier League match featured a number of contentious calls, with Anthony Gordon’s winning goal going through three separate VAR reviews and Guimaraes and Kai Havertz not receiving a red card. As Havertz surged at Sean Longstaff, the Brazilian very late caught Jorginho on the head with his arm. After a Premier League panel decided that the decision to leave the goal standing was the right one, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) made available the whole exchange that took place prior to the Gordon goal.
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The VAR discussions about Guimaraes and Havertz’s red cards were kept secret, but now the TV room talk has been made public thanks to a leak from the “leakedlineups” Instagram account.
VAR Andy Madley and assistant VAR Stuart Burt are allegedly heard analysing Guimaraes’ potential red after on-pitch referee Stuart Atwell admits that he ‘has not seen’ the incident.
Madley begins: “I’m just going to check potential serious foul play. He goes into the player… so he lifts his arm up because he’s going into the defender, for me.
“Just have a look at this for me Stu (AVAR) as well mate. So he sees the player, he puts his arm up and there’s a glancing blow on the side of his head but for me, that’s not used as a weapon. That’s not violent conduct. Are you happy with that as well?”
Burt responds by concurring with Madley: “Yeah, it’s not nice but I don’t think it’s any more than a yellow card mate.”
Madley then concluded the conversation and added: “Yeah, it doesn’t reach the threshold. Stuart (Attwell – referee) it’s check complete, check complete.”
Guimaraes and Havertz ought to have been sent off, according to the Independent Key Match Incidents Panel’s decision. They all agreed that Guimaraes should have been handed his marching orders, despite the fact that the vote was split 3-2 against him. Furthermore, PGMOL chief Howard Webb acknowledged that the two red cards were overlooked.
The Gunners’ next game is scheduled for November 25 at Gtech Stadium against Brentford, while Eddie Howe’s team plays Chelsea at St. James’ Park on the same day.