Mike Dean’s shocking verdict on bizarre Vini Souza VAR decision Sheffield United v Brentford

VAR bizarrely decided not to send off Frank Onyeka after horror challenge in Sheffield United’s Brentford win

Former top ref Mike Dean says Brentford’s Frank Onyeka should “100 per cent” have been sent off for a shocking challenge on Vinicius Souza during Sheffield United’s victory over the Bees yesterday. Onyeka was only booked by on-field referee Stuart Attwell, who was not referred to his touchline monitor by VAR Rob Jones.

Both players were engaged to the tackle, with Souza getting to the ball first and Onyeka following through with his studs showing on the Brazilian’s lower thigh. Ref Attwell, like many onlookers, first missed the severity of the foul, but replays confirmed its gravity, with a VAR review seen as a virtual certainty.

But, for some reason, VAR Jones finished his assessment without referring Attwell to his monitor, and showed Onyeka a yellow card. To practically add insult to injury, Onyeka tested Wes Foderingham with a long-range attempt shortly after, before being replaced at half-time by his manager Thomas Frank to avoid a red card.