# Webb: Botman tackle not clearly wrong with VAR

> Referee Howard Webb says Sven Botman's tackle on Nicolas Jackson wasn't clearly wrong with VAR decision.
- Title: Webb: Botman tackle not clearly wrong with VAR · Sky Sports
- Summary: Referee Howard Webb says Sven Botman's tackle on Nicolas Jackson wasn't clearly wrong with VAR decision.
- Keywords: howard webb, sven botman, nicolas jackson, var, premier league, aston villa, newcastle, refereeing, yellow card, red card, sports, Webb
- Source: Sky Sports — https://skysports.com/football/news/12040/13601311/sven-botman-tackle-howard-webb-says-nothing-clearly-wrong-with-var-decision-to-not-send-newcastle-defender-off
- Published: 2026-10-20T17:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: howard webb, sven botman, nicolas jackson, var, premier league, aston villa, newcastle, refereeing, yellow card, red card, sports
## Webb on Botman tackle
Referee Howard Webb says Sven Botman's tackle on Nicolas Jackson wasn't clearly wrong with VAR decision.
## Pundits criticized referee
Sky Sports pundits criticized referee Jarred Gillett for yellow card and VAR Stuart Attwell for backing on-field call.
## Jackson's injury concern
Jackson said he nearly broke his leg but it's fine and hopes for red card next time.
## Referee Dermot Gallagher
Former referee Dermot Gallagher said Botman's tackle had everything for a red card.
## Sky Sports' Jay Bothroyd
Sky Sports' Jay Bothroyd said Botman was more violent than Yehor Yarmoliuk's headbutt.
## Webb on VAR approach
Webb says VAR shouldn't re- referee on-field decisions but only step in for clearly wrong actions.
## Webb on referee's call
Webb says referee's call was good example of lighter-touch approach with VAR.
## VAR analysis
VAR Stuart Attwell said Botman didn't go studs into Jackson's leg with scissor challenge.
## Bentancur red card
Webb said Bentancur's red card and Shaw's yellow card were right outcomes for headbutt.
## Webb on headbutts
Webb says headbutts are high risk violent acts requiring red cards.
## Key takeaway

Referee Howard Webb says Sven Botman's tackle on Nicolas Jackson wasn't clearly wrong with VAR decision.