Referee explains why VAR did not punish Vicario clear handball
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has provided insight into why VAR did not intervene in the controversial Guglielmo Vicario handball incident during Tottenham’s 3-1 victory over Brentford.
According to Halsey, the incident was not deemed a potential red card offense, which explains why VAR stayed out of it.
The moment occurred in the second half when Tottenham were leading 2-1. Vicario came off his line to intercept a long ball from Brentford near the edge of the penalty box.
However, his momentum carried him outside the box, and it appeared as though he made contact with the ball while still outside the designated area.
Despite this, referee John Brooks did not penalize the goalkeeper, sparking protests from Brentford players and coaching staff, who believed Vicario had handled the ball illegally.
Some of the Brentford players received yellow cards for their persistent protests, but VAR chose not to review the incident.
Mark Halsey has now clarified that VAR can only intervene if the incident involves a clear and obvious error that would lead to a red card.
In this case, the situation did not meet that threshold. However, Halsey acknowledged that the incident highlighted a loophole in the current rules and called for referees to use their judgment more effectively in determining whether such incidents constitute the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Halsey explained further, stating, “The incident where keeper Guglielmo Vicario handled outside his penalty area was incorrectly dealt with by the match officials. But I do not believe that the Tottenham man, who was not punished, should have been sent off.”
He continued by outlining the criteria that referees must consider in situations like this: the distance between the offense and the goal, the general direction of play, the likelihood of the opponent retaining or gaining control of the ball, and the position of other defenders.
In Vicario’s case, these factors did not indicate the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity, meaning that while it should have been a free-kick and a yellow card, it did not warrant a red card.
Halsey also pointed out that VAR did not intervene because the incident did not qualify as a clear and obvious error with respect to a red card.
However, he expressed concern that referee John Brooks failed to recognize the handball at all, suggesting that referees need to pay closer attention in such situations to avoid missed calls like this one.
The debate around the incident leaves room for interpretation, but it’s clear that Vicario was fortunate to escape without any penalty for his actions.
Spurs fans and pundits alike will likely agree that Vicario dodged a significant bullet, as a red card could have drastically altered the outcome of the match.
In the aftermath of the match, many are left questioning Vicario’s decision-making under pressure.
The Italian goalkeeper has displayed signs of poor judgment in critical moments this season, and incidents like this raise concerns about whether his form could cost Tottenham in the long run.
Although he escaped punishment this time, repeated mistakes in high-pressure situations might eventually lead to more severe consequences for the team.
In the broader picture, the incident has also reignited discussions about how VAR is applied and the effectiveness of its guidelines.
While VAR is designed to prevent obvious errors, its limitations in addressing more nuanced situations, like Vicario’s handball, show that the system is far from perfect.
There may be a need for further rule clarifications or adjustments to ensure that incidents like this do not continue to slip through the cracks.
Ultimately, Vicario’s close call in the Brentford match serves as a reminder that goalkeepers must remain calm under pressure, especially when making split-second decisions outside the penalty area.
For Tottenham, the focus now shifts to ensuring these kinds of errors are minimized as they progress through the rest of the Premier League season.
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