Diomande challenge did not warrant a red card, VAR analysis site says

The challenge by Valencia’s Guido Rodriguez on Real Madrid forward Yan Diomande did not merit a direct red card, according to refereeing analysis website Archivo VAR.

The incident occurred during the teams’ meeting at Mestalla in the 12th round of La Liga, after Rodriguez attempted to win the ball with a “scissors” tackle.

Archivo VAR said Diomande was able to withdraw his leg quickly, meaning he suffered neither a twisting injury nor a forceful impact that could be classified as violent play. On that basis, the website concluded that the challenge did not reach the threshold for a straight dismissal.

The analysis nevertheless stated that Rodriguez had committed a foul and that a free-kick should have been awarded. That remained the case even though the Valencia player touched the ball before making contact with his opponent.