FIFA under careful examination over surprising VAR mistake made by the Referee Peter Bankes during the Bournemouth Vs Manchester United match after not awarding red card for this mistake.
FIFA is once again facing intense criticism following a highly controversial VAR decision during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United. The incident at the center of the storm involved a reckless challenge by Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams on Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, which many felt deserved a straight red card but instead resulted only in a yellow.
The controversial moment occurred during the first half at the Vitality Stadium when Adams launched into a heavy tackle with both feet off the ground, a type of challenge that is often punished with immediate dismissal. Referee Peter Bankes opted to show just a yellow card, a decision that VAR reviewed and upheld. The Premier League later explained that the challenge was classified as “reckless” rather than “serious foul play,” meaning it didn’t meet the criteria for a red card. However, this clarification did little to calm the storm, as countless Manchester United supporters took to social media to express outrage. Many fans pointed to similar tackles in the past that were punished far more harshly, with some even claiming that Garnacho’s safety had been put in serious danger.
Although the Premier League handles matchday officiating, FIFA’s broader role in overseeing VAR’s implementation globally has placed it firmly under the spotlight. Critics argue that the inconsistency shown in incidents like this damages the credibility of VAR and shakes the trust of fans, players, and coaches alike. The lack of a consistent standard when evaluating serious fouls has sparked new questions about whether referees and VAR officials are receiving the appropriate training and guidance.
The match itself ended in a 1-1 draw, with Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo scoring first and Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund salvaging a point with a late equalizer. Yet further controversy surrounded the game as Manchester United saw two penalty appeals — particularly involving Harry Maguire — brushed aside without any intervention from VAR. To add to the confusion, Bournemouth’s Evanilson was later sent off after VAR reviewed his tackle on United’s Noussair Mazraoui, underlining how differently similar challenges were handled during the same match.
This latest VAR scandal has triggered renewed calls for change. Many voices within football, from former players to analysts, are now urging for greater transparency, with suggestions including the release of VAR audio recordings to give fans insight into the decision-making process. There are also increasing demands for FIFA to step up and create a standardized VAR system across all competitions, alongside more rigorous training for referees and VAR officials to minimize these glaring inconsistencies.
The controversy surrounding Adams’ tackle on Garnacho has once again highlighted the serious challenges facing football’s use of technology. Unless FIFA and league authorities work quickly to restore confidence in VAR, its purpose of making football fairer will be in danger of collapsing completely. For now, frustration continues to mount among fans who feel let down by a system that promised fairness but is instead delivering chaos.
