In Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester City at the Emirates in October 2023, Mateo Kovacic slid in late on Martin Ødegaard and caught him on the back of the ankle with his studs. Referee Michael Oliver booked him rather than sending him off; VAR reviewed it for serious foul play but decided the yellow was not a clear and obvious error, so they did not send Oliver to the monitor. Many felt it was an “orange” challenge — late, studs up, contact above the boot — that could easily have been a red on another day, and PGMOL chief Howard Webb later said it was a poor tackle that would have stood if Oliver had given red. Kovacic stayed on and, minutes later, fouled Declan Rice without receiving a second yellow. Theft of the highest order