Breaking News: Nuno Espírito Santo has given up signed his resignation letter few minutes ago

Breaking News: Nuno Espírito Santo has given up signed his resignation letter few minutes ago

The conversation remains heated regarding the controversial decision to send off Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White yesterday.

 

Forest drew 2-2 with Brighton at the AMEX Stadium and both teams remain unbeaten following the entertaining encounter

Chris Wood and Ramon Sosa scored the goals for Forest during the game and it means the Reds have now claimed four points from away games with Liverpool and Brighton.

 

The hot discussion is centered around Gibbs-White, however, with his 82nd-minute red card providing serious controversy.

 

READ MORE: Ryan Yates shares what was said in the Nottingham Forest dressing room at half-time

Sky pundits in agreement on Morgan Gibbs-White red card

With the dust settling and the tempers starting to come back down a little bit, some logic is required here.

Gibbs-White made what looked like a really good tackle in the 82nd minute but his momentum ended up catching Joao Pedro.

 

Was the decision reckless? Maybe. Did he win some of the ball? Definitely. Could it still be a yellow card in this day and age? Absolutely.

 

This issue, however, comes from the fact that referee Rob Jones doesn’t give the foul and clearly signals that Gibbs-White has played the ball.

With the fourth official – Anthony Taylor – getting involved, Stephen Warnock believes it’s time for VAR to be able to look at second yellow card incidents.

 

He told Ref Watch on Sky Sports News: “My initial reaction was I thought it was a brilliant tackle. There has to be momentum allowed in a challenge otherwise we’re going to see the game change massively and not necessarily from the better. Maybe it’s getting to the point where it’s a big decision like that, perhaps it’s time for VAR to be able to come in for second yellow cards.”

 

Sue Smith agreed in the studio too. She felt that Gibbs-White makes lots of tackles of that nature but does seem both sides of the coin with this particular incident.

 

She added to Warnock’s comment: “As soon as you see him say he played the ball, great, that’s how Gibbs-White plays he’s so full on and he’s heart on his sleeve. I see both sides but it’s a great tackle for me. Whether it’s right or wrong, I do quite like that they’ve worked as a team.”

Time for the Premier League to change VAR criteria

No football fan wants games to be refereed again but in this instance, surely something has to be done.

 

Thankfully, Forest only had to play for eight minutes plus added time with a man fewer than Brighton but it could have been worse.

 

When Jones sent off Willy Boly for an incorrect second yellow card last season, Forest had to play for 70 minutes with 10 men and ended up losing late on.

A second yellow becoming a red is a game-changing incident and on this occasion, Taylor and Jones disagreed.

 

In that instance, surely it would make sense – as Warnock said – to let VAR come in and make the final call over who was actually correct.

 

Forest must now plan for life without Gibbs-White for the game with Fulham and hopefully, something can be done in the future to spruce up VAR.

 

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