Juventus player Kelly received a red card following two yellow cards during a playoff match against Galatasaray, although the VAR review was intended to scrutinize the incident further rather than overturn it.
In a recent playoff match against Galatasaray, Juventus player Kelly was sent off with a second yellow card for a challenge in which he accidentally caught his opponent's ankle while heading the ball. This decision drew comparisons to a previous incident involving Kalulu, prompting discussions about the consistency of officiating in European competitions. The referee, Joao Pinheiro, decided on the field to issue a yellow card, which resulted in the player's expulsion, but the VAR review called for further evaluation, raising questions about how double yellow cards are handled under current protocols.
Juventus faced significant challenges during this match, being reduced to ten men early in the second half. The complexity of this situation stemmed from the fact that while the VAR was involved, the protocol at the time did not allow for a review of the double yellow card; instead, the review was initiated to consider escalating the punishment to a direct red. This created confusion among players and spectators alike, as the intention behind using VAR seemed counter to its typical purpose of aiding referees with uncertain calls.
As the football community awaits clarity on the treatment of similar cases, discussions around VAR's role in maintaining fair play and consistency are increasingly relevant. NFL directives that will be discussed in upcoming meetings may address these inconsistencies in officiating to enhance transparency and maintain the integrity of the sport across Europe. The outcome of this incident calls into question the established protocols and whether they effectively serve the teams involved.
