Ex-Prem ref explains why Ruben Dias avoiding red for Arsenal kick was ‘correct’

The decision to not send Manchester City star Ruben Dias off for his kick out at Arsenal's Ben White was "correct".

That's according to former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, who was working for BT Sport as their officiating analyst on Wednesday (April 27) night. Dias looked like he could be in trouble just before half-time of the title rivals' clash at the Etihad.

Shortly after City had gone 2-0 up through John Stones, the Portuguese centre-back got physical with White near the corner flag. Dias was left on the floor and subsequently poked his leg out into the back of his opponent's knee.

READ MORE: Jack Grealish grabs Thomas Partey as Arsenal and City stars have to be separated

He was shown only a yellow card by referee Michael Oliver, with a VAR check determining no further action should be taken.

Clattenburg, who appeared to have replaced Peter Walton for BT, believed that was the right call as Dias didn't use enough force to warrant a red.

He said: "Yeah what I think they did is they looked for a potential red card. Did Ruben Dias use any force in the challenge with the kick out to Ben White?

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"He didn't, it was more of a petulant kick and therefore the VAR was correct in identifying that was a yellow card offence."

Dias avoiding a sending off wasn't the only VAR call which left Arsenal fans seething as they saw their title hopes fade with a 4-1 defeat. They couldn't believe Stones' header from a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick was ruled onside.

At first glance it appeared he was well off, but White's out-stretched foot was adjudged to have played him on. Ultimately, City were too dominant for the Gunners and took control of the title race.

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