Bournemouth forward David Brooks became the first player in Premier League history not to be sent off after a red-card review on a pitch-side monitor – prompting a no-confidence motion from Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

Brooks was embroiled in a bubbling battle with Blues left-back Mark Cucurella throughout. 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. There was no doubt that the Welsh forward pulled his Spanish counterpart back ten minutes after the restart, preventing a quick breakaway for the hosts, but video replays failed to show clearly where contact had occurred between the two players.

On-pitch referee Rob Jones blew for the foul but it was taken to the touchline screen before VAR Graham Scott issued a card of any colour. After reviewing the footage, Jones booked Brooks — who seemed more preoccupied with Cucurella than with the historic nature of his escape.

As indicated by ESPNof VAR expert Dale Johnson, Jones became the first Premier League referee since Introduction to VAR Not following red card recommendation in 2019. Merseyside officials were also the first to stick with their original decision to direct the monitor after May 2024.

A Premier League official shortly after the incident Match center The X account explained why Jones stuck to his guns: “On review, the referee held that the challenge on Cucurella was a reckless action and not violent conduct.”

Act 12 in The FA’s Official Handbook “Reckless action” is defined as “when a player acts with disregard for the danger or consequences to an opponent.” By comparison, “violent conduct” is when “a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent”.

Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca was not impressed by the landmark moment. “When there is no intention to take the ball, it is red,” said the Italian After the game. “They have to explain. So if they give yellow, that means something happened. How can they decide it wasn’t dangerous? You can’t. It’s red.”

of Maresca Bournemouth The counterpart, Andoni Iraola, predictably disagreed: “There’s no violence, he stops the counter, it’s a clear yellow card.”

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