VAR doesn't interfere with second yellow cards. But should it?

"At present, VAR is unable to interfere with the referee's decision over second yellow cards -- it can only act upon goals and straight red cards. That has rarely been as controversial in the Premier League as it has over the festive period. On three occasions, involving Arsenal (twice) and Manchester City, referees have decided against showing another yellow card when a VAR intervention could have meant a different outcome."

"Dec. 27: Premier League, Nottingham Forest v Manchester City - Rúben Dias Manchester City's Dias clipped the heels of Nottingham Forest's Igor Jesus as the attacker was running on to a loose ball, beyond the City backline, with a clear opportunity to create a positive situation for his team. This offence, deliberate or otherwise, stopped a promising attack and should have resulted in a second caution for Dias."

"Dec. 30: Premier League, Arsenal v Aston Villa - Mikel Merino Arsenal midfielder Merino was deliberate in his action to pull back Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers as he made a smart turn. Rogers was clearly away and attacking Arsenal's final third with an obvious opportunity to create a positive situation for his team. This was clearly an offence that should have been sanctioned by the referee; a second yellow should have been issued and Merino sent off."

The current VAR protocol prevents review of referees' second-yellow-card decisions, limiting VAR intervention to goals and straight red cards. That limitation produced three high-profile Premier League incidents over the festive period involving Manchester City, Arsenal (twice) and Bournemouth where potential second cautions were not given. Rúben Dias clipped Igor Jesus and stopped a promising attack; Mikel Merino pulled back Morgan Rogers when Rogers was clearly away; Antoine Semenyo pulled Declan Rice's shirt as Rice attacked beyond the midfield. These incidents raised questions about consistency, match integrity, and whether VAR's remit should be expanded to include second yellow cards.

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