Mark Clattenburg believes VAR was correct not to send Ruben Dias off during Manchester City’s win over Arsenal on Wednesday night.
The Premier League champions cantered to a 4-1 win over the leaders to take firm control of the title race.
First-half goals from Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones left Arsenal with a mountain to climb after the break.
Even after Rob Holding’s late consolation, Erling Haaland scored his 49th goal of the season to wrap up the convincing win at the Etihad Stadium.
There were a number of flash points throughout the game, with Ben White and Phil Foden even clashing after the full-time whistle.
Arsenal defender White had earlier been involved in an altercation with Dias towards the end of the first-half.
The pair were jostling for the ball by the corner flag in City’s half, which left Dias on the ground. While on the floor, the Portugal international appeared to kick out at White and was duly awarded a yellow card by referee Michael Oliver.
While there were calls to see Dias’ punishment go further, Clattenberg backed the on-field decision after a VAR check deemed a red card was not necessary.
“I think what they did is look for a potential red card. Did Ruben Dias use any force in the challenge with the kick out to Ben White? He didn’t, it was more of a petulant kick, and therefore the VAR was correct in identifying that it was a yellow card offence," he told BT Sport.
