THE BIGGER PICTURE
Initially, referee Rob Jones issued a yellow card for Saliba, seemingly deeming the incident as not severe enough for a sending-off. However, the game took a different turn when the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) advised Jones to review the decision on the pitch-side monitor. As the VAR check unfolded, cameras caught Howard Webb, the head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), watching the game from the stands, using his phone, adding fuel to the brewing controversy. The VAR, Jared Gillett, suggested that Saliba denied Evanilson a clear goal-scoring opportunity which convinced Jones to change his mind and flash the red.
