Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca fumes over key David Brooks decision in draw with Bournemouth
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was left furious after history was made in the Premier League with the decision not to send off David Brooks for his challenge on Marc Cucurella during the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
Bournemouth were fortunate not to lose Brooks to a red card in the second half for what looked like a hair pull on Marc Cucurella, a pitchside VAR review sparing the winger.
Referee Robert Jones was sent to the monitor by VAR official Graham Scott to review the incident, and consider a red card for Brooks for violent conduct.
But Jones – somewhat surprisingly – decided to stay with his original on-field decision of no red card, instead choosing to caution Brooks.
The incident represents the first time in Premier League history that a referee has rejected a red-card review after being sent to the pitchside monitor for a second look by VAR.
It was also the first VAR monitor rejection of any kind this season.
“I said many times, for me, if there is no intention to take the ball, it’s a red,” Maresca said. “They have to explain [it]. If they give a yellow, that means something happened.
“So, how can they judge that it was not dangerous? You cannot judge that it was not dangerous.
“The intention was just to go against Marc Cucurella. In my opinion, it’s a red. Hopefully, we can be more lucky with the referee in the future.”
On the incident, Chelsea club captain Reece James added: “When the referee takes a look at the monitor then it’s never a good sign.
“There are positives to take away from the game but there are negatives as well. It’s mixed emotions.”
In December, Southampton defender Jack Stephens was sent off for a similar hair-pulling incident.
The Premier League Match Centre stated at the time that an on-field review was suggested for possible violent conduct, which eventually led to Stephens being dismissed.
However, after being advised in the same way to check the monitor during Bournemouth’s clash with Chelsea, referee Jones ruled that Brooks’ actions had been reckless but not violent, hence no sending off.
A statement said: “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.”
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