The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel ruled 3-2 that Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer should have received a straight red card for violent conduct during his clash with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the 70th minute of their match on October 24 at Stamford Bridge.
Three panel members concluded the contact involved clear contact to Fernandes’ head and was unnecessary, dangerous and made with excessive force. Two panel members disagreed with the violent conduct designation.
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The panel unanimously supported VAR John Brooks’ decision not to recommend an on-field review. Referee Chris Kavanagh issued a yellow card at the time.
Palmer was dismissed in the 80th minute after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Conor Gallagher.
This KMI review occurred under the Premier League’s current season-long participation in a trial commissioned by the International Football Association Board. The trial permits VAR intervention when attacking players commit offences before the ball is in play at free kicks or corners — if those offences directly affect goals, penalties or red-card outcomes.
Across 162 incidents reviewed this season, the panel found 88% were handled correctly on-field — matching last season’s rate. That figure rises to 99% after VAR intervention.
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aidan Martinez / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
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