Explaining the decision, the Premier League Match Centre said on X: “The referee’s call of yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with contact on the follow through after Tarkowski had played the ball deemed to be reckless.”
The key word here is “reckless”, which according to the laws of the game merits a yellow card rather than a red.
However, Liverpool – and many onlookers – felt Tarkowski’s challenge was not just reckless but also was made with excessive force.
According to law 12, as explained on the Football Association’s website, “a tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play”.
It continues: “Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”
Taking this into account, Blues defender Tarkowski was somewhat fortunate to stay on the pitch, with his challenge leaving Mac Allister writhing in pain – though the Argentine World Cup winner was able to continue after receiving treatment.
It is also worth noting that, within the wording of the laws, there is no reference to winning the ball in making a tackle. If a player uses excessive force, whether he takes the ball or not is irrelevant – it would still meet the threshold for a red card.
