Ex-FIFA official reacts to ‘reckless’ Virgil van Dijk controversy as footage emerges from Everton v Liverpool
Anthony Taylor was correct to only show Virgil van Dijk a yellow card for his challenge on Everton ace Amadou Onana on Saturday, according to Chris Foy.
Everton’s 0-0 Merseyside derby draw at Goodison Park on 3 September was marred by a horrific challenge by van Dijk on Onana as the Liverpool defender planted his studs on the new Blues star’s shin, just above his ankle.
Match of the Day’s replay of the incident (3 September, 1h18m24s) showed the Netherlands centre-back going over the ball with his foot going in a downwards motion onto Onana’s shin with the Belgian left in considerable pain.
Former Premier League and FIFA referee Foy doesn’t believe it was a red-card offence though and has commended Taylor for his handling of the situation.
Writing for the Mail on Sunday on 4 September (page 147), Foy said: “Anthony Taylor had an excellent Merseyside derby and he was absolutely right to show the yellow card to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk for his challenge on Amadou Onana.
“Taylor was in close proximity to the incident, perfectly positioned, and adjudged the challenge reckless and worthy of a caution.
“It would have been checked by the VAR who was within his rights to upgrade had he wanted to, but instead agreed with the onfield referee’s decision.
“For the challenge to be deemed dangerous and worthy of a red you have to look at speed and intensity of challenge, use of excessive force, and there was none of that. It was reckless.”
Always a red
To say it was “never” a red card is absolutely ridiculous.
If Taylor had shown a straight red card for that, there’s no way that VAR would have made him re-assess his decision on the pitchside monitor.
It was one of those that could have gone either way depending on the referee.
In this case – as has been the case this weekend – VAR and refereeing howlers have favoured big-six Premier League teams.
Liverpool had this one go in their favour, Aston Villa had a goal disallowed against Manchester City that should have stood and in easily the most baffling decision, West Ham saw an equalising goal chalked off against Chelsea because their goalkeeper acted as though he’d been shot when diving at Jarrod Bowen’s feet.
It’s been a big weekend of big controversy.
And all of them have favoured teams who finished in the top-four last season.
If that was the other way around and Onana was putting that challenge in on van Dijk, he’d have seen a red card.
We have absolutely no doubt about that because it would have improved Liverpool’s chances of getting a win.