Why Chelsea star wasn't sent off vs Liverpool but Saliba was for same offence

• Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo avoided a red card after committing a similar offence to William Saliba's
• Saliba was shown a direct red card after a last-man challenge on Evanilson during Arsenal's game against Bournemouth
• TUKO.co.ke compares and contrasts the two incidents and why Adarabioyo not being sent off was the right call

Arsenal fans were left fuming after Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo escaped a red card for more or less the same offence that William Saliba was sent off for.

The Gunners were forced to play with 10 men against Bournemouth on Saturday after Saliba received his marching orders for a last-man challenge on Evanilson.

Tosin Adarabioyo receives a yellow card during Liverpool's game against Chelsea. Photo by Paul Ellis.
Source: Getty Images

24 hours later, there was a repeat incident at Anfield when Adarabioyo hauled down Diogo Jota when Chelsea travelled North to face Liverpool.

Comparing Saliba, Adarabioyo incidents

Referee John Brooks showed the former Fulham defender a yellow card, much to the disappointment of the raucous home crowd. The incident was checked and quickly cleared by VAR who was satisfied with the booking.

So, what was the thinking process behind the two similar situations yet different outcomes for the perpetrators?

Both offences were judged as last-man offences, which, more often than not, results in the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.

Football rules on denial of a goalscoring opportunity

As captured in the Laws of the Game, officials must consider several factors before deciding whether to send a player off: the distance between the offence and the goal, the general direction of the play, the likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball, and the location and number of defenders.

Why Adarabioyo wasn't sent off vs Liverpool

Starting with Saliba's incident, there was no retreating defender to provide cover. Ben White was on the right with the officials ruling that he couldn't have come back on time. While Saliba brought down Evanilson way further up the pitch, there was an inclination that the goal was right ahead of him with total control of the ball.

Adarabioyo's case was slightly different. The England international fouled Jota in Liverpool's half. Levi Colwill was also close by to provide cover. So, while Adarabioyo's foul was just as clumsy as Saliba's, the Chelsea man was bailed out by the defenders around him.

Liverpool ran out 2-1 victors with Mohamed Salah scoring a penalty before setting up Curtis Jones' either side of a Nicolas Jackson equaliser.

How many games Saliba will miss

Legit.ng had earlier reported why Saliba will only miss one game despite his red card vs Bournemouth.

Saliba was sent off after a last-man challenge on Evanilson, with the VAR recommending that the on-field yellow card be upgraded to a red card.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke