Webb Disagrees with Red Card Decision for Dalot's Challenge on Doku

PGMOL chief Howard Webb has expressed his doubts regarding the decision to give Diogo Dalot a red card for his challenge on Jeremy Doku during Manchester United's 2-0 win over Manchester City, but he believes VAR made the right call in not intervening. Dalot received a yellow card for the tackle, which some, including ex-Premier League referee Mike Dean, thought was worthy of a red card. Webb stated, 'There's a subjective judgment to be made... but I'm absolutely aligned that once that decision is taken on the field, we leave it as the referee's call and we don't intervene with the VAR.' He emphasized the importance of considering the speed and intensity of the action, rather than just relying on slow-motion footage. Webb noted, 'At full speed, when you play it in real time, you can see there's not a great deal of speed in the action, not a lot of intensity.' Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola felt Dalot should have been sent off, but VAR Craig Pawson stood by the on-field decision, believing the contact was 'glancing and not with force.' Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Micah Richards also felt Dalot should have been given a red card, with Keane saying, 'Doku definitely helps him [by not staying down]. I'm no expert on red cards, but I think it's a red.' Richards added, 'He [Dalot] is on top of his knee. That is as clear a red card as you are going to see. What more do you want?!' Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher shared his thoughts on Ref Watch, saying, 'I thought it was a red card. He's gone in high and with a straight leg. He's hit him with his studs on the knee.' Former Cardiff and England striker Jay Bothroyd agreed, stating, 'I can't believe Dalot has tried to appeal the yellow card. It's a terrible challenge... The priority for the referees is player safety. When you see challenges like that, Doku could have ended up really hurt.' The full transcript between referee Taylor, VAR Pawson, and assistant VAR Adrian Holmes was released, showing how the officials concluded that staying with Taylor's on-field yellow card decision was the right call.