Dalot’s Derby Tackle Sparks VAR Red Card Debate

Dalot’s Studs-Up Challenge Reopens Red Card Debate in Premier League

Diogo Dalot’s 10th-minute tackle on Jeremy Doku during the Manchester derby has once again ignited a fierce debate over VAR consistency and Premier League officiating standards.

The Manchester United full-back escaped with a yellow card for a studs-up challenge on the knee of Manchester City winger Doku. Referee Anthony Taylor deemed it reckless, and VAR Craig Pawson upheld the decision — but many believe that in European competition, a red card would have been automatic.

“Forget glancing contact — that’s a red card all day,” said Alan Shearer on BBC Sport. “VAR got that terribly wrong.”

Would UEFA Have Given a Red?

In fact, under UEFA guidelines, such a high and straight-legged tackle with studs contacting the opponent’s knee is typically punished with a red card for serious foul play.

The Premier League, however, maintains a more physical threshold, favoring the high-speed nature of its product. This leads to greater subjectivity and has caused a rift between domestic and continental officiating standards.

PGMO, the Premier League’s refereeing body led by Howard Webb, stated that the challenge lacked “excessive force” and was “glancing,” justifying the yellow card. But slow-motion replays, showing the full extension of Dalot’s leg, painted a different picture for many fans and pundits.

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City boss Pep Guardiola declined to focus on the incident post-match, perhaps due to his team’s own lackluster display in the 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford. Still, the red card call — had it gone City’s way — would have drastically changed the game dynamic.

“It’s a challenge that UEFA would expect a red for,” said one former official. “It’s just another example of how different Premier League officiating has become.”

PGMO’s Tightrope: Physicality vs Safety

This incident joins a growing list of Premier League tackles where VAR has come under scrutiny for its interpretation of “serious foul play.” Similar cases include:

• Pape Matar Sarr vs Chelsea in 2023 (no red)

• Curtis Jones vs Spurs in 2023 (given red after VAR review)

The Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel reported seven serious foul play VAR errors last season, yet this season remains clean — statistically. Critics say that’s due to VAR hesitance, not improved accuracy.

What Defines Excessive Force?

PGMO looks for “prolonged or forceful contact.” In this case, the boot comes off quickly, which they argue reduces the impact. But fans and pundits argue that straight-leg, high-stud tackles carry inherent danger — regardless of how long the contact lasts.

“Referees rely too much on how things look in real-time,” said one analyst. “In Europe, the outcome matters more. In England, the intent and style of play seem to get more weight.”

Verdict

The Premier League’s high-contact tolerance remains a double-edged sword. While it preserves the pace and physicality of English football, it often leaves decisions like Dalot’s in the grey area — fuelling frustration among fans, players, and managers alike.

As PGMO seeks consistency, fans are left wondering: would that same tackle see red in the Champions League? Most likely — yes.