🚨 JUST IN: Premier League Explains Why Pereira Escaped Red Card for His Tackle on Gravenberch

Liverpool fans were left seething after Fulham’s Andreas Pereira avoided a red card during the 2-2 draw at Anfield. Adding to their frustration, Pereira went on to score just moments after the controversial incident.

The incident occurred early in the match when Pereira lunged into a reckless tackle on Ryan Gravenberch, raking down the Liverpool midfielder’s Achilles. Replays made it clear that the challenge was dangerous and potentially deserving of a straight red card. However, referee decisions on the field—and subsequent VAR review—resulted in only a yellow card.

Just two minutes later, Pereira took advantage of Liverpool’s sloppy defending and opened the scoring for Fulham, further angering the Anfield crowd.

The Premier League Match Centre later explained decisions surrounding Issa Diop’s early challenge on Andy Robertson and Robertson’s eventual red card, yet curiously failed to address Pereira’s tackle. Liverpool supporters were left demanding answers, prompting The Liverpool Echo to reach out to the Premier League for clarification.

In response, the league stated that VAR “agreed with the referee’s initial decision to issue a yellow card.” However, the lack of transparency behind the reasoning has drawn widespread criticism.

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean weighed in, declaring that the tackle “100% warranted a red card,” highlighting the inconsistency in officiating standards.

Fortunately, Gravenberch was able to continue playing, but the incident has once again raised serious concerns about VAR’s role in protecting players and ensuring fairness.

Officiating Under Scrutiny Once Again

This latest controversy has reignited debates about the Premier League’s officiating and the transparency of VAR decisions. Many fans argue that the lack of live VAR communications leaves supporters in the dark and adds to the frustration when questionable calls occur.

The fact that Pereira not only avoided punishment but also scored shortly after only deepened Liverpool fans’ outrage. For a league that prides itself on technological advancements, incidents like this make a strong case for more clarity and accountability from officials.

Liverpool fans—and indeed the wider football community—are demanding better. Decisions like these not only impact matches but also cast doubt on the consistency and reliability of officiating in the Premier League.

For now, the Premier League’s explanation does little to ease the anger, and this episode will surely keep the spotlight on VAR and its shortcomings in high-stakes situations.