Premier League panel rules Liverpool star Diogo Jota should not have seen red versus Tottenham
The Premier League’s Independent Match Incidents Panel has determined Liverpool forward Diogo Jota should not have been sent off in the Reds’ controversial 2-1 loss at Tottenham.
Jota received two quickfire yellow cards after coming on as a substitute in the defeat marked by multiple officiating controversies.
According to the Mirror, The panel ruled Jota’s second booking for a challenge on Spurs’ Destiny Udogie did not warrant a caution. The decision means Jota will now be available for Liverpool’s upcoming fixture against Brighton, having initially been slated to serve a suspension.
Diogo Jota was first booked for clipping Udogie’s heels, while his second yellow came for lunging at Udogie from behind.
Manager Jurgen Klopp disputed referee Simon Hooper’s decision to book Jota twice in quick succession when Liverpool were already reduced to 10 men after Curtis Jones’ contentious first-half red card.
The panel’s verdict comes after the high-profile disallowed goal for Liverpool’s Luis Diaz due to a VAR error that left Klopp demanding a replay of the match. Along with the Jota dismissal, it added to a sense of injustice after Tottenham’s late winner came from a Liverpool own goal.
The Premier League panel consists of three former players and/or coaches, as well as one representative from the PGMOL and the Premier League itself.
Having Jota back is good news
With relations between clubs and officials strained, the panel overturning Jota’s perceived unfair second booking will be a relief for Liverpool. But it does not make up for the separate officiating mistakes that directly impacted the result per the Reds’ complaints.
In a match mired with controversy, Diogo Jota’s dismissal was particularly infuriating for Liverpool boss Klopp as he experienced his first loss of the season.
Nonetheless, having Jota available restores vital attacking depth for Liverpool. Keeping their squad strength as high as possible will be crucial with matches across multiple competitions approaching.
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In a fiery affair filled with debatable calls, seeing one controversial decision overturned offers Liverpool a small silver lining from the frustrating defeat.
