CHRIS FOY: Robert Sanchez’s challenge was reckless but NOT serious

The challenge by Brighton’s keeper Robert Sanchez on Liverpool’s Luis Diaz as the Colombian striker headed in the opening goal at the Amex Stadium is one, like many, that will provoke debate.

Had match referee Mike Dean shown Sanchez a red card, I’m not sure that decision would have been overturned as it is a subjective one.

If Sanchez would have gone in for the challenge with studs showing and/or made contact with Diaz’s head, the VAR, in this case Stuart Attwell, would have had the evidence to advise showing a red card.

Luis Diaz received lengthy treatment after colliding with Sanchez during the match

Stuart checked the challenge, a possible red-card incident is one of the four instances as we know where VAR will make checks, and the reasoning for not recommending a review was that the contact by Sanchez was more reckless in nature and not serious foul play. 

The VAR can only recommend that a referee goes to the referee review area for possible red card offences and can’t advise the referee for a missed yellow card.

So, if Stuart Attwell is content the offence was ‘reckless’ then he would not recommend a review.

If Stuart Attwell is content the offence was ‘reckless’ then he would not recommend a review

Match officials can only judge on a specific incident. They can’t speculate as to what would happen if a similar thing happened anywhere else on the pitch. You can only focus on a given incident that occurs.

Luis Diaz bravely stuck his head in to direct Joel Matip’s long ball past the onrushing Sanchez, who then felled him with a raised leg into Diaz’s midriff while also impacting with his head.

The Colombian was left floored and requiring treatment, with Liverpool’s players unable to celebrate, while the Video Assistant Referee Stuart Attwell checked for serious foul play.