Last night, audio from the decision-making process behind Virgil van Dijk’s red card during Liverpool’s win over Newcastle United was made public.
The Reds captain was controversially sent off during the first half of Jurgen Klopp’s side’s 2-1 win at St James’ Park after fouling Aleksander Isak on the edge of the penalty area.
Van Dijk couldn’t comprehend referee John Brooks’ decision to send him off, even though this event was checked and approved by Stuart Attwell on VAR.
Liverpool’s No.4 served his one-match punishment for his challenge at the weekend, missing the 3-0 win over Aston Villa, but his suspension could be increased to two games after being charged with an FA breach.
Insight into how the match officials decided to dismiss Van Dijk was shown on Sky Sports’ “Match Officials: Mic’d Up” last night, hosted by Michael Owen and starring Howard Webb. Six problematic calls from the current campaign were addressed throughout the show.
Focusing on Van Dijk, Attwell started the VAR discussion by saying, “APP (Attacking Possession Phase).” Offside is a possibility. DOGSO (denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity).
Referee Brooks can then be heard replying, “It’s outside [the box], outside, outside.” It’s also a red card. He’s gone through and through the man, red card.
The following stage of the conversation between Attwell and Brooks continues: “Delay, delay,” says VAR. Just double-checking, mate.”
“No,” says Brooks. He enters via the man. To play the ball, he arrives through the man, through the man.”
“OK, can you shift it?” VAR says. Please provide another perspective on the point of interaction. Okay, this is a definite foul. I’m Stuart, and I’m fine with the foul. I’m just going to double-check the punishment and the APP. Okay, so I’m content with that….freeze it there, freeze it there. So the ball is going to roll over his face. The attacker has position without the moving challenge. That’s OK, he’s moving immediately into the penalty area.”
Brooks can then be heard directly speaking to Van Dijk, telling him, “They will check [the decision].” And he isn’t; he is going inside. They will verify, they will verify. Just sit tight! I’ll tell you if you need to go and when you need to go. They’ve just checked the location, so it’s obviously a foul. Don’t do anything foolish. Unless he [Isak] is offside, you will be sent off. It’s really constrained.”
After VAR confirms that they are satisfied to stand by the on-field decision, Brooks says goodbye to the Dutch international: “Free-kick.” Go, go! Go now. Yes, there is no offside.”
“We think it is a good communication of a foul by John Brooks and we see in the end Van Dijk does play the ball but, to get there, he clearly kicks through the foot of Isak and it denies a goalscoring opportunity,” Webb said to Owen.
“He’s close to the goal, he’ll be able to control the ball easily, and there are no covering defenders.” And, of course, we know the direction is in the right way. It’s called a DOGSO.
“Van Dijk is not protected by the fact that if this had happened in the penalty area, he would have received a yellow card for attempting to play the ball or challenging for the ball.” Because it is outside the penalty area, DOGSO must receive a red card.
“When that happens outside the penalty area, even if the defender is attempting to play the ball, as van Dijk was, the fact that he committed a foul means he must be sent off in this situation.” It’s a pretty apparent situation.”
