Maresca: It’s a red! | Iraola: A clear yellow | Managers disagree on the Brooks-Cucurella clash in the 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Bournemouth.
Blues manager Enzo Maresca expressed his frustration as David Brooks was not shown a red card for his challenge on Marc Cucurella.
Bournemouth avoided losing Brooks to a red card in the second half for what appeared to be a hair pull on Cucurella, as a pitchside VAR review ultimately favored the winger.
Referee Robert Jones was sent to the monitor by VAR official Graham Scott to have a look at the incident and contemplate a red card for Brooks due to violent conduct.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Jones opted to uphold his initial decision of no red card, instead issuing a caution to Brooks.
This was first time in Premier League history where a referee has declined to issue a red card after reviewing the situation at the pitchside monitor, as well as being the first rejection of a VAR monitor review this season.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola took a different view of the incident to Maresca, arguing that Jones was right to let Brooks off with a caution.
“I don’t understand why the VAR asked the referee to go and check,” he said.
“There was no violence, I think it’s a clear yellow card. For me Brooks never wants to do anything other than stop the counter [attack].
“When you consider how Chelsea played and we played, I don’t think we deserved to win. I don’t think we were better than Chelsea.”
David Brooks misses out on a red card despite a lengthy VAR review 👀
Should he have been sent off…? 🤔
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/cpMQl8RBsZ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 14, 2025
“I think Brooks is lucky to get a yellow card” 👀
Eni Aluko and Joe Cole take a look at the incidents between David Brooks and Marc Cucurella…
🎙️ @msmith850
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Y02bwzw1ZH
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 14, 2025
It gets worse every time I see it.
You are a disgrace to every single football club in this league and I’ll happily say piss off from all 20 teams @FA_PGMOL 👋
— Uber Chelsea FC (@UberChelseaFC_) January 15, 2025
“I said many times, for me, if there is no intention to take the ball, it’s a red,” Maresca said. “They have to explain [it]. If they give a yellow, that means something happened.
“So, how can they judge that it was not dangerous? You cannot judge that it was not dangerous.
“The intention was just to go against Marc Cucurella. In my opinion, it’s a red. Hopefully, we can be more lucky with the referee in the future.”
On the incident, Chelsea Reece James added: “When the referee takes a look at the monitor then it’s never a good sign.
“There are positives to take away from the game but there are negatives as well. It’s mixed emotions.”
“I’ve seen nothing violent” 🗣️
Andoni Iraola reacts to the VAR asking referee Robert Jones to check David Brooks’ challenge on Marc Cucurella. pic.twitter.com/98HsaYfNVN
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 15, 2025
“How can you judge that wasn’t DANGEROUS?” 😠
Maresca fumes after David Brooks escapes red for blatant foul on Marc Cucurella 😳
🔗 https://t.co/TXcTJz0DYZ pic.twitter.com/zACId5loVQ
— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) January 14, 2025
Maresca: It’s a red | Iraola: Clear yellow | Managers disagree on Brooks-Cucurella clash
