Why Was Arsenal's Kai Havertz Not Shown a Red Card vs Burnley?
Arsenal are playing a crucial Premier League match against Burnley that can get them closer to winning the Premier League title.
Arsenal took the lead in the first half with a header from Kai Havertz, who replaced Viktor Gyokeres in the starting lineup.
The German striker's goal is important for Arsenal's chances to secure the Premier League title, but Havertz was also involved in a play that should have sent him off, but he wasn't.
In the second half, Haverzt tried to win the ball back but instead stuck his foot onto the back leg of Burnley midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu.
VAR took a look, and many expected that Havertz was set to receive a red card. The referee, Paul Tierney, did not check the monitor and stuck with his decision to only give Havertz a yellow card.
VAR decision on Kai Havertz challenge is a yellow card
— Goaldata - Arsenal Zone (@ArsenalZNE) May 18, 2026
Honestly, I think Arsenal got away with one here. pic.twitter.com/IbiHuVt225
Why was it not a Red Card for Havertz?
VAR revealed the foul from Havertz was not considered serious foul play for a straight red card. VAR said, "The referee's call of a yellow card to Havertz was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge deemed not to be serious foul play."
Many football fans, including Arsenal fans, believed that Havertz got lucky from not receiving a straight red card and not leaving Arsenal with 10 men against Burnley.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville also believed that Havertz was lucky not to see a red card for that foul. Neville said, "I don't think that's right. I think he's a lucky boy, I would get him off the pitch straight away. That's not right, he needs to leave the pitch."
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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 1:54 PM.