Fans could not believe the nonsensical red card that David Luiz was issued against Wolves
Wolves #Wolves
There are few topics more divisive in professional soccer than the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The replay system was designed to prevent glaring, match-changing errors. But instead, we’ve seen it used to scrutinize things like offside decisions by mere centimeters.
And when a glaring, match-changing error does actually happen, VAR often fails to serve its purpose.
That couldn’t have been more clear than the puzzling decision at the end of the first half of Arsenal’s Premier League matchup against Wolves on Tuesday.
When Wolves’ Willian José made a run at goal, he fell to ground after an apparent foul by Arsenal’s David Luiz. The referee was quick to show Luiz a red card, awarding Wolves a penalty. But replays quickly made that decision look awfully harsh.
Upon review, the backswing of José’s foot sort of made contact with Luiz’s knee. But it wasn’t an intentional contact — more so just two people running naturally. And José’s delayed fall to ground certainly made the entire foul look suspect, at best.
But what did VAR do? It confirmed the call in seconds. Just like that, Wolves converted on the penalty and went into halftime tied at 1-1. Fans could not believe the decision.
To make matters worse for Arsenal, Wolves would take the lead with a João Moutinho goal in the 49th minute.
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