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Howard Webb, the head referee, claims Michael Oliver made a mistake by not sending off Mateo Kovacic from Manchester City's title match against Arsenal.
Oliver's contentious decision on Sunday at the Emirates came only one week after Luis Diaz's goal for Liverpool at Tottenham was incorrectly disallowed for offside due to a major VAR gaffe.
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Oliver failed to issue a red card to Kovacic for a studs-up foul on Martin Odegaard and only opted for a yellow card with VAR review agreeing with his decision.
The head referee has agreed that Micheal Oliver made a wrong call during the Man City clash with Arsenal.
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Howard Webb speaks about the referee’s decision
For the first time since both occurrences, PGMOL president Webb acknowledged that Oliver, the organisation's top referee, made a mistake and that the Diaz incident had "hurt" the body's credibility.
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Mateo Kovacic went for a reckless foul on Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard but was not sent off by Micheal Oliver.
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Then a few moments later he failed to issue a second yellow card to Kovacic after another late tackle on Declan Rice.
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Webb said as reported by the Sun, “When Michael reflects on it he’ll realise the second one should have been a yellow as well which would have seen Kovacic sent off, having been on the benefit of the first decision, which was borderline.
“The first tackle is clearly a poor one and I am confident, if a red card had been given by Michael, it would have been a very straightforward ‘check complete’ from VAR. But he doesn’t, he issues a yellow.”
In response to Michael Owen's inquiry about whether Kovacic was fortunate to remain on the field, Webb said on Sky's Match Officials Mic'd Up program, “I do.
“Second yellows are something VAR is not able to get involved in but he was an extremely fortunate player to stay on the field.
“The referee, one of the best in the world, Michael will no doubt review that.
“He doesn’t want to have a negative impact on the game by overreacting to something. But if he underreacts you have a negative impact on the game.”
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