Sean Dyche ‘Shocked’ by ‘Atypical’ VAR Calls in Forest’s Defeat to Man City

Introduction

In the high-stakes environment of the Premier League, the margin between victory and defeat is often razor-thin. Following Nottingham Forest’s narrow 2-1 loss to Manchester City, manager Sean Dyche found himself embroiled in the ongoing debate surrounding the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Dyche did not hold back, describing the officiating as “atypical” and labeling football “such a very easy game to referee.” The flashpoints included a controversial winning goal by Rayan Cherki and a decision not to send Manchester City defender Ruben Dias off for a second yellow card. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of these incidents, the rules governing them, and the practical implications for Dyche and Forest.

Key Points

Background

The match took place at the City Ground in a tense atmosphere where Nottingham Forest were desperate for points to distance themselves from the relegation battle. Forest had performed well against the reigning champions, Manchester City. The game was tied at 1-1 when the decisive moment arrived in the 83rd minute.

Rayan Cherki, the Manchester City winger, struck a half-volley from the edge of the box that beat the Forest goalkeeper. However, in the immediate build-up, City midfielder Nico O’Reilly appeared to collide with Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. Forest players immediately protested, claiming Gibbs-White was impeded and prevented from making a block.

Simultaneously, tensions flared regarding City defender Ruben Dias. Dias had already been shown a yellow card in the first half for dissent. Early in the second half, he committed a foul on Forest forward Igor Jesus. Dyche and the Forest bench were adamant that this second infringement warranted a second yellow, resulting in a red card.

Analysis

To understand Dyche’s frustration, we must dissect the two primary officiating decisions using the Laws of the Game and VAR protocols.

The Cherki Goal: Foul or “Play On”?

The central question regarding the winning goal is whether the contact between Nico O’Reilly and Morgan Gibbs-White constituted a foul.

Dyche’s Perspective: Dyche argued that O’Reilly pushed Gibbs-White, causing him to fall and thereby preventing him from blocking Cherki’s shot. He posited a logical test: “If the ball’s not near the keeper and you push the keeper to the ground, is that going to be a foul then? We all know it is.” His argument rests on the principle that preventing a player from performing a defensive action through illegal contact is a foul, regardless of whether the player is the goalkeeper or an outfielder.

The VAR Protocol: VAR officials look for “clear and obvious errors.” In this scenario, the referee on the field, Rob Jones, allowed play to continue. VAR intervened to review the incident. The decision to uphold the goal suggests that the officials viewed the contact as either minimal, accidental, or not significant enough to prevent Gibbs-White from playing the ball had he not been touched. This falls under the “referee’s call” category, where subjective interpretations of contact are left to the on-field official unless the error is glaring.

Expert Verdict: Darren Cann, a former elite referee, supported the decision. He noted that the contact was debatable and that such 50/50 situations often split opinion. Because it was not a “clear and obvious error,” VAR was correct not to overturn the on-field decision of a goal.

The Ruben Dias Second Yellow Card

The second major flashpoint was the challenge by Ruben Dias on Igor Jesus.

Dyche’s Perspective: Dyche argued that because Dias was already on a yellow card, the referee should have been stricter. He stated, “They say it is an accident. If that is an accident when he is running through on goal we all know what happens. You get a red card.” He viewed the foul as a cynical tactical infringement that deserved a second booking.

The Referee’s Reality: Referees are instructed not to automatically issue a second yellow for every foul committed by a player already booked. The severity and nature of the foul dictate the punishment. According to Cann, the Dias challenge was an “accidental crossover” with “minimum touch.” Referees often use a higher threshold for second yellows to avoid deciding a match on a trivial infraction. If the referee deemed the contact accidental and not reckless, a yellow card was not mandatory.

Practical Advice

For managers and fans navigating the complexities of VAR and officiating decisions, understanding the following principles is essential:

Understanding the “Clear and Obvious” Threshold

VAR is not a tool for re-refereeing every minor contact. It is designed to correct significant errors. If a foul is “subjective”—meaning reasonable people can disagree on whether it was a foul—the on-field decision stands. Fans should temper expectations that VAR will intervene in every contentious moment.

The “Referee’s Call” Explained

In the absence of definitive camera angles showing a clear foul, the “referee’s call” (formerly “margin of error”) favors the on-field decision. In the Cherki goal scenario, since the referee signaled goal, VAR needed irrefutable evidence to disallow it. The lack of such evidence meant the goal stood.

Discipline and the Second Yellow

Players and managers should be aware that a yellow card is not a “strike one” system. A player on a yellow is not automatically sent off for a second foul. The foul must warrant a yellow card based on the criteria for cautions (e.g., reckless play, persistent infringement). A simple trip or accidental contact usually results in a free kick, not a card, even for a player on a booking.

FAQ

Conclusion

Sean Dyche’s reaction to the “atypical” VAR calls highlights the continued friction between the raw emotion of management and the technical application of football laws. While Dyche’s frustration is understandable given the context of a tight relegation battle, the analysis suggests that the officiating team operated within the current VAR protocols. The Cherki goal stood due to the high threshold for intervention on subjective fouls, while the decision regarding Ruben Dias aligned with the directive that not every foul by a booked player warrants a second card. Ultimately, for Nottingham Forest, the focus must shift from the officials to securing points in future fixtures to ensure their Premier League survival.