Did Howard Webb influence VAR for Arsenal red card? | OneFootball

Howard Webb was caught on camera wearing an earpiece as William Saliba received a red card on Saturday, leading fans to wonder whether the two things were related.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: William Saliba of Arsenal leaves the pitch after receiving a red card, as Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, gestures during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Arsenal defender William Saliba received a red card in the first half of the Gunners’ match against Bournemouth on Saturday, pulling down Evanilson around the halfway line.

The referee initially brandished a yellow card, presumably deeming that the ball was too far away from the goal to definitively say that another defender couldn’t have covered for Saliba.

But the official changed his mind after VAR recommended a review, opting to swap the yellow for a red.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Match Referee, Robert Jones shows a yellow card to William Saliba of Arsenal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

While the VAR room were deliberating, the TV cameras cut to PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb in the stands, clearly wearing an earpiece and listening to something, putting his hand to his ear to hear better.

Webb could also be seen speaking in response to what he heard, leading some fans to speculate that he could be in contact with the VAR room, advising them on the decision.

However, Sky Sports reported in their post-match broadcast that whilst Webb was listening to the VAR room, he had no input in the decision.

Howard Webb listens to an earpiece during Arsenal’s match against Bournemouth (Image via Sky Sports)

If that’s true, Webb was likely listening in for his own interest, and so that he could review the processes the officials were going through.

Referees are often assessed by referee assessors in the stands, and this appears to be something more along those lines.

Though the footage appeared to show him using his earpiece to communicate with people on the other end, Sky Sports’ suggestion is that this wasn’t the reality.

It isn’t clear from the video whether he was communicating to someone over radio or simply speaking to the people sitting next to him, so we’ll have to assume the latter.