Ex-FIFA official furious after what Jarred Gillett said about Newcastle vs Aston Villa controversy
Sven Botman somehow avoided being sent off in Aston Villa's 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
Johan Manzambi's 36th-minute goal was enough to separate the two sides at St James' Park, with all three points eventually heading back to the West Midlands in Unai Emery's back pocket.
However, the argument can be made that Newcastle should've been reduced to 10 men after just 18 minutes when Botman went in hard on Nicolas Jackson.
Newcastle duo Joelinton and Botman were both booked at the same time by referee Jarred Gillett for successive bad challenges on Manzambi and Jackson, respectively.
Due to the nature of the challenges, play was held up for a moment for VAR Attwell to assess them.
After a brief check, Gillett's on-field decision of two yellow cards was upheld - but former Premier League referee Keith Hackett wasn't having it.
Why Sven Botman should've been red-carded vs Aston Villa
Botman's challenge on Jackson was a hard one.
But not only that, the Dutchman appeared to go in recklessly and dangerously, with both of his feet leaving the ground.
Ex-PGMOL general manager Hackett is adamant that while Joelinton's yellow card was correct, Attwell should've been recommending an on-field review of Botman's foul on Jackson.
"Joelinton's challenge was worthy of a yellow card for a reckless challenge, but I cannot understand why Botman was not shown red," Hackett told Villa News.
"His challenge meets the criteria for Serious Foul play - he should have walked.
"Where was VAR?"
What did Jarred Gillett say about the Botman incident?
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Stephen Warnock suggested that Botman's foul on Jackson was worthy of a sending-off.
"Botman's challenge looks a little bit rash, a little bit forceful," said the ex-Villa full-back.
"It's such a heavy tackle however, five, 10 years ago it's not a yellow card. Is he in control when he goes into this tackle?"
However, despite Warnock and Hackett both believing that Botman's challenge met the criteria for a straight red, Aussie referee Gillett saw it differently.
As confirmed on the Premier League Match Centre's X account, Gillett said: "I think it's reckless. Even though you get a touch on the ball, it's still reckless."
Yes, it was reckless. But it also undoubtedly endangered Jackson's safety because it was off the ground, it was forceful and it was, as admitted by the ref, reckless.