PREMIER LEAGUE referee Robert Jones made history when he refused to send off David Brooks for a clothesline challenge against Marc Cucurella.
The incident took place during last night's match between Chelsea and Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues took the lead through Cole Palmer before the visitors turned the game upside down: 2-1.
And it took a Reece James free-kick to salvage a point for Enzo Maresca's side, who have now gone five games without a win.
However, Chelsea felt like they were struggling when Cucurella was crushed by Brooks while making a forward run.
According to fans online, Bournemouth's Welshman appeared to have clotheslined the Spaniard.
And the VAR recommended a red card for violent behavior on the field monitor.
However, referee Jones did not see things the same way.
After watching a replay of the incident, he went against VAR advice and gave Brooks a yellow card instead.
It was the first time in Premier League history that a referee had disallowed a red card on the monitor.
It was also the first rejection of the VAR monitor this season.
And the Premier League's Match Center explained Jones' thinking in a social media post.
It said: “VAR recommended an on-the-spot assessment for Brooks due to a possible red card for violent conduct.
“After review, the referee ruled that the challenge against Cucurella was a reckless action and not violent conduct – and gave Brooks a yellow card.”
Fans certainly felt the decision should have been a red card.
One said: “Flapper and deliberate. Red card all day.”
Another stated: “Sheer shame.”
One commented: “Stark red, that's a wrestling move.”
Another added: “Clotheslines are now allowed in football.”
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