Video assistant referee causes controversy every week whether it be the Premier League, Champions League or FA Cup, but how are decisions made and are they correct?

This season, we take a look at the major incidents to examine and explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.

Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee, with over 12 seasons on the elite list, working across the Premier League and Championship. With extensive experience at the elite level, he has operated within the VAR space in the Premier League and offers a unique insight into the processes, rationale and protocols that are delivered on a Premier League matchday.

Referee: Paul Tierney
VAR: John Brooks
Incident: Lisandro Martinez red card

Man United’s Lisandro Martinez was shown RED for violent conduct against Leeds after VAR intervention. pic.twitter.com/GMstoLWC6I

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 13, 2026

What happened: What initially appeared to be an innocuous aerial challenge involving Manchester United defender Martinez and Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, resulted in the defender being sent off for pulling Calvert-Lewin’s hair after a VAR review.

Credit: Sky Sports

Why was this a red card: Following a new directive this season, referees have been asked to apply a strict threshold whenever hair pulling occurs. This action is deemed as a non-football action and not acceptable within a typical challenge. Indeed, it must be deemed violent conduct and sanctioned with a red card.

A precedent was set in the Premier League when Everton defender Michael Keane was punished for a similar foul on Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare back in January.

However, in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Arsenal‘s Katie McCabe was not punished when she clearly pulled the hair of Chelsea player Alyssa Thompson. Neither the on-field referee team nor the VAR identified this incident as a red-card offense and the Arsenal player went unpunished.

Credit: ESPN

Verdict: Given the current guidance from PGMOL and the Premier League, the decision to send off Martinez was the correct one, though United boss Michael Carrick said afterward that it was “one of worst he’s ever seen.”

The length of time that referee Tierney spent at the screen suggests he was slightly uncomfortable with the ultimate decision to produce a red card, as the level of contact was negligible, but the directive from PGMOL and the league does not make that a consideration.

An increase in these types of incidents in recent seasons led the authorities to send a strong message that this type of act would be dealt with zero tolerance. While this stance is unlikely to change for the remainder of the season, I would anticipate some discussion over the summer on this topic and whether authorities should continue with a zero-tolerance policy.

The Women’s Champions League incident was a clear error as the action met all the criteria for violent conduct on its own, irrespective of any new directive advised to the match officials.

The action by McCabe was deliberate, with force and, in my opinion, should have been identified by the on-field referee and the fourth official. The non-intervention by VAR was particularly disappointing and difficult to understand; it was a clear red-card offense, and the Arsenal player should have been sent off.

The NCAA confirmed Wednesday it is exploring a move to an age-based eligibility model that would give athletes a window of five years to compete in Division I starting immediately after their high school graduation or 19th birthday, whichever comes first.

The Division I Cabinet discussed the possibility at meetings that concluded Wednesday without voting on whether to take a formal position. The Cabinet supports having NCAA staff continue to discuss the idea with other stakeholders to gather feedback and further discuss ways it would be phased in. Its next meeting is scheduled for May 22.

The Cabinet said the new model would include possible exceptions for circumstances such as pregnancy, military service and religious missions.

The age-based model is similar to an idea included in an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on April 3.

Currently, athletes generally are allowed four seasons of competition over five years with no age restrictions.

The possibility of an age-based model comes after numerous athletes have challenged NCAA eligibility rules in lawsuits with the hope of extending their college careers and ability to earn money through revenue sharing and name, image and likeness deals.

During its meetings, the Cabinet approved changes to preenrollment eligibility rules, including one that would bar athletes who have entered and remained in a professional sports draft from competing in college.

One of the rules requires prospects to withdraw from opt-in professional league drafts, including the NBA draft, to bring precollege enrollment draft rules in line with postcollege enrollment draft rules. Men’s ice hockey and baseball would not be affected because athletes don’t opt in to those sports’ drafts.

The change came after two basketball players, Alabama’s Charles Bediako and Baylor’s James Nnaji, played in college this season after entering the 2023 NBA draft.

Bediako played two seasons at Alabama and entered the draft. He wasn’t selected but played three years in the G League, the NBA’s minor league. He played in five games this past season before the Alabama Supreme Court upheld a ruling that made him ineligible.

Nnaji was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the second round. He played professionally overseas before he enrolled as a freshman at Baylor in December. He was granted eligibility because he had never signed an NBA contract or played in the G League. He would be ineligible in 2026-27 under the new rules.

In other changes, athletes are allowed to sign with agents before enrolling for purposes other than name, image and likeness and are allowed to accept prize money in their respective sports without impacting eligibility.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

If you happen to be a Manchester City fan who dearly wishes to express their admiration for their favourite eccentric Spanish manager through the medium of clothing, then do we have some good news for you.

While his team continue in their quest to nip away at Arsenal‘s lead in the Premier League title race, City have collaborated with kit manufacturers Puma to create a new line of replica apparel inspired by head coach Pep Guardiola.

The collection has been put together to mark Pep’s glorious 10-year stint at the Etihad, during which he has hoovered up silverware, including six Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League crown as part of a historic Treble in 2022-23.

– Is it happening again? Arsenal’s stumble in title race follows familiar pattern
– World Cup kit ranking: Every jersey we’ll see this summer released so far
– Meet ‘The Pirate,’ Mbappé’s main rival to be LaLiga’s top scorer this season

But, more importantly, he has firmly established himself as one of the snappiest dressers in world football — or at least that’s what City would seemingly have us think.

The football world is not exactly awash with manager-branded club merch, yet still City have sought to build a small selection of clothing and footwear inspired by their boss’s own inimitable matchday wardrobe.

Of course, Pep has something of a reputation for his touchline fashion, be that his penchant for high polo necks, chunky statement scarves and monogrammed sweaters.

With all that in mind, the new Pep Guardiola Decade capsule consists of a snazzy bomber jacket, a hoodie, a baseball cap, a couple of t-shirts and a pair of personalised Puma sneakers, all of which come adorned with “P” branding and the manager’s golden signature.

And yes, we know what you’re thinking, but unfortunately a replica of the extra grungey, Eddie Vedder-style plaid overshirt that Pep wore on the sidelines during City’s recent Champions League clash against Real Madrid appears to have been cruelly overlooked.