Premier League

Forest vs Man City: Why Rúben Dias Escaped a Second Yellow (And VAR Couldn’t Act)

VAR By Narek Smbatyan Feb 19, 2026 1 min read

Ruben Dias foul on Igor Jesus during Forest vs Man City as debate grows over VAR and second yellow cards

In Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City (Dec 27), Rúben Dias committed a foul that stopped a dangerous attacking situation. The debate wasn’t just “was it a yellow?”—it was the bigger issue: if the referee misses a second caution, VAR has no power to intervene, even when the match context and replays suggest it should be a clear second booking.

That limitation creates inconsistency: VAR can correct many game-changing moments, but not a second caution that would also change the entire match.

THE VERDICT
Decision: No second yellow shown
Rating: 🟧 Major (Protocol Blind Spot)
Analysis: This is exactly why fans feel VAR is “selective.” A missed second yellow is still a missed send-off—same impact, different rule category. Football needs a clean solution: allow VAR to recommend an on-field review when a second caution is clearly wrong or clearly missed.

Key Takeaways

Every verdict depends on context, available angles and the Laws of the Game. We clearly separate confirmed facts from interpretation.

Written by

Narek Smbatyan

Narek Smbatyan is the creator and lead analyst of The VAR Verdict. Driven by a passion for the technicalities of the sport, Narek provides a deep dive into the Laws of the Game to make sense of football’s most debated moments. By meticulously reviewing VAR protocols and officiating standards, The VAR Verdict serves as a bridge between the complex rulebook and the fans who live for the game.

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