Webb backs VAR over Botman challenge on Jackson

Premier League referees' chief Howard Webb says Sven Botman's challenge on Nicolas Jackson was a "high-end reckless challenge" but backed the video assistant referee's decision not to intervene for a red card. Sven Botman picked up his second yellow card of the season for the foul on Nicolas Jackson Premier League referees' chief Howard Webb says Sven Botman's foul on Nicolas Jackson was a "high-end reckless challenge" but backed the video assistant referee's decision not to intervene for a red card. Botman was shown a yellow card – the correct sanction for a reckless tackle – by referee Jarred Gillett for the Newcastle centre-back's 18th minute challenge on Villa striker Nicolas Jackson on Saturday.

The Dutch defender went in strongly and over the top of the ball, though contact on the opponent was with his trailing leg. "I think it's reckless," Gillett said of the challenge. "Even though you get a touch on the ball, it's still reckless." The VAR, Stuart Attwell, decided to support the on-field call of a caution because there was "no secondary scissor action" and contact was "not with the studs". "I know the referee said yellow card but it was so high and hopefully maybe next time a red card, but it was a yellow," Jackson said after the game. "I nearly broke my leg,