Jordan Pickford was not sent off for his challenge on Virgil van Dijk during Everton vs Liverpool because the Dutchman being offside cancels out serious foul play.
Pickford charged out of his box and collided with van Dijk in a scissors motion, who went down in pain.
He'd eventually be replaced by Joe Gomez and many questioned why the referee and VAR did not send Pickford off.
Dale Johnson of ESPN has revealed that while the challenge could have been worthy of a red card, van Dijk being offside by his arm in the initial play means foul play cannot be penalised.
Virgil van Dijk offside by the new point of handball on the arm, rather than the armpit.
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) October 17, 2020
Last season, this would have been onside.
Note the red line doesn't go to the elbow. It carries through and that's the calculation point. #EVELIV pic.twitter.com/QgssuVYOkt
There's no red for Pickford because the offside cancels serious foul play afterwards. Challenge classed as this.
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) October 17, 2020
Compare to VVD being through on goal. Pickford would not be sent off for DOGSO if VVD offside.
Violent conduct still punishable, not serious foul play. #EVELIV
Seems to be that if a challenge is ruled as “Serious Foul Play”, then a player cannot be carded if they harm a player in an offside position.
— Samantha Quek (@SamanthaQuek) October 17, 2020
If it is ruled as “Violent Conduct” it can be. pic.twitter.com/3dBhSyiOmD
Pickford could've received his marching orders if the challenge was deemed as violent conduct, but it was not.
Van Dijk would've been onside based on last years rules, due to the handball law going off the arm rather than the armpit.
Fans have reacted to the decision to not send Pickford off and they are furious.
Offside or not, how is it not a red card for dangerous play? pic.twitter.com/WXi3lsX647
— Jay Sher19an (@JaySheridan22) October 17, 2020
What an absolute joke!! Regardless of being on or offside, Pickford should of seen Red for that leg breaker challenge.
— James Lee (@Jimmy179799Lee) October 17, 2020
So if VVDwas deemed offside and Pickford headbutted him after the call would he still be immune? Crazy rule.
— Baggy Hamster (@BaggyHamster) October 17, 2020
football is just geometry now, and apparently we are all experts
— Don Gomes (@_brrraaa) October 17, 2020
The first Merseyside derby of the season is currently 1-1 at half-time.
Sadio Mane opened the scoring inside three minutes before Michael Keane headed home an equaliser.
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news-reactions-why-jordan-pickford-wasnt-sent-off-for-challenge-on-virgil-van-dijk-20201017
0 Comments