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Jordan Pickford could still face punishment for his X-rated challenge over Virgil van Dijk.
The Football Association can take retrospective action on incidents that the referee missed, and that also extends to the video assistant referee.
That could mean Everton goalkeeper Pickford could get a three-game suspension if the FA looks again after receiving the report from referee Michael Oliver.
It is understood that the VAR, which was being conducted by David Coote, considered the incident as a possible penalty, but because video technology ruled it was offside, no further action was taken.
The VAR can only advise on red cards instead of yellow cards and the double criminality rule means that it cannot be a penalty and an expulsion if the player makes a genuine attempt to play the ball.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It is accepted that the VAR should have urged Oliver to go and watch the incident on screen as it is believed that the referee was unable to see the challenge through a crowd of players.
But somewhere between the sets of rules and laws, the VAR and Oliver may not have fully studied the possible expulsion in isolation, and while it would be the first time since video technology was introduced, the FA could now punish in hindsight if Oliver and Coote admit they missed it.
The FA will now wait for Oliver’s report before making a decision, but they might have that option that comes after Liverpool complained to the Premier League and asked for an explanation on the Van Dijk incident and also from Jordan Henderson having ruled out a injury time winner.
Premier League bosses argued in February about introducing a “tolerance level” that, on the thinnest of margins, would allow goals to stick as with Henderson.
Should Pickford be banned for his defiance? Please express your opinion below.
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
But FIFA took control of the VAR this season and is strict in not allowing tolerance with the Premier League insisting they are using the best technology available to them.
Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero is unlikely to face any FA action despite placing his hand on the shoulder of linesman Sian Massey-Ellis during Manchester City’s win over Arsenal.
Despite generating a lot of criticism on social media, Massey-Ellis is considered one of the best and most experienced officials who probably hasn’t bothered about it.
It is also not an offense to touch an official as long as it is not done aggressively and it is unlikely that the matter will go further.
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