Following Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United, controversy has erupted in the football world after Newcastle defender Sven Botman admitted he played a role in the controversial red card issued to Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.
Botman confessed that during the first half of the match, he intentionally stepped into Jackson’s path in an attempt to provoke a yellow card—not a red one.
His actions, he said, were meant to disrupt Jackson but not to get him sent off.
In a candid post-match interview, Botman expressed regret over the incident.
“It was never meant to lead to a red card,” he said.
“I take full responsibility—I moved into his space to try and get him booked, not dismissed.
That wasn’t right, and I regret it now. I also think the VAR made a big mistake.
This decision needs to be re-examined because Jackson didn’t deserve that outcome. There’s something clearly flawed in the system.”
The flashpoint occurred in the 35th minute when Jackson appeared to strike Botman with an elbow during a heated exchange.
After consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the referee issued a straight red card to the Chelsea forward.
With the Blues reduced to ten men for the remainder of the match, Newcastle eventually capitalized, sealing the victory with a deflected goal from Bruno Guimarães late in the game.
Botman’s admission has intensified scrutiny on VAR and the overall reliability of officiating in the Premier League.
Though VAR was introduced to improve decision-making and reduce human error, critics argue it has introduced even greater inconsistency and subjectivity.
In recent times, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which oversees refereeing in English football, has come under heavy criticism for numerous questionable decisions involving VAR.
Calls are now mounting for Jackson’s red card to be overturned, with fans, pundits, and former officials urging a thorough review of the incident.
They cite Botman’s confession and the apparent misjudgment by the officials as grounds for rescinding the punishment.
Many are also calling for accountability and greater transparency from those overseeing match officiating.
As the Premier League season nears its conclusion, the ramifications of this event could be significant—not only for Chelsea’s pursuit of a Champions League spot but also for the ongoing debate surrounding fairness and the effectiveness of refereeing technology in modern football.
At the time of writing, the Football Association has yet to issue any official statement on Botman’s comments or whether the red card decision will be revisited.
However, the spotlight remains fixed on VAR, with growing concerns about whether the system is achieving its intended purpose or instead contributing to the problems it was meant to solve.
