Chris Sutton slams VAR over Myles Lewis-Skelly red card decision

Chris Sutton slams VAR over Myles Lewis-Skelly red card decision

Former Premier League player Chris Sutton has criticised VAR for upholding Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card against Wolves

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has criticised the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) as “incompetent” after the controversial decision to uphold the red card shown to Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly during Saturday’s clash with Wolves.

Arsenal managed to secure a crucial 1-0 victory, thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s second-half goal, keeping them firmly in the Premier League title race. However, the focus after the game was dominated by the dismissal of Lewis-Skelly, who was replaced by Calafiori in a reshuffled lineup.

The 18-year-old defender was sent off just before halftime for a trip on Wolves’ Matt Doherty near the edge of the Wolves penalty area. Initially, it seemed a yellow card would suffice, but referee Michael Oliver issued a straight red card, deeming the incident as “serious foul play.” VAR reviewed the decision and upheld it, leaving Arsenal players and fans stunned.

READ MORE: Premier League issue statement on Myles Lewis-Skelly red card

Chris Sutton did not hold back in his criticism of the officiating team. Taking to X, Sutton wrote: “Arsenal red card is a shocker… it’s not even a great debate. If that’s serious foul play, heaven help us all. Total incompetence from the VAR operators!”

Arsenal red card is a shocker… it’s not even a great debate… if that’s serious foul play heaven help us all…total incompetence from the VAR operators!

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) January 25,

The decision to uphold the red card has sparked outrage among pundits and fans, with many questioning VAR’s consistency and judgment.

Arsenal’s frustrations with referee Michael Oliver are not new. Three years ago, Gabriel Martinelli was controversially sent off at the same venue for two bookable offenses in quick succession. Last season, Oliver was criticised for not sending off Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic after a dangerous challenge on Declan Rice.

Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a red card against Wolves by referee Michael Oliver (Image credit: Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta, visibly frustrated after the game, declined to fully elaborate on his feelings about the decision, saying: “It is that clear that I leave it to you guys. I am absolutely fuming, but I leave it with you because it is that obvious. I don’t think my words are going to help.”

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Former England captain Alan Shearer labeled the red card “one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in a long time” and expressed disbelief at the VAR process. He said: “As a referee, you can get it wrong on the pitch, but how on earth Darren England, the VAR, thinks that the referee has got that right is beyond me. No wonder VAR gets criticised by so many people.”

This incident is just the latest in a string of controversial refereeing decisions that have plagued Arsenal this season. While Wolves’ Joao Gomes was also sent off later in the match, levelling the playing field, the frustration surrounding Lewis-Skelly’s red card remains.

The Gunners now face uncertainty as they await a possible appeal on the red card. With Arsenal battling injuries and illness in their title pursuit, the decision has only added to their challenges.