Howard Webb, Sven Botman, Nicolas Jackson and Premier League match officials
20 October 2026
Premier League refereeing chief Howard Webb has defended the decision not to overturn Sven Botman’s yellow card for a dangerous-looking challenge on Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson. Webb described the tackle as highly reckless but said the video assistant referee was correct to leave the on-field decision unchanged.
Botman made a strong challenge on Jackson during Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa. Referee Jarred Gillett issued a yellow card, and VAR Stuart Attwell concluded there was insufficient evidence of serious foul play to require intervention. Webb explained that the contact was not made with the studs and there was no secondary scissor movement. He said VAR would also have supported a red card had the referee originally shown one, reflecting the league’s approach of intervening only for clear errors.