# Audio Recording of VAR, Referee and Players Conversation Revealed as Virgil van Dijk is Sent Off Against Newcastle
The decision to send off Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk in the Reds’ 2-1 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park has been met with controversy. The audio recording of the conversations between the VAR, referee and players has now been revealed, giving an insight into the decision-making process.
Van Dijk was dismissed for a last-man challenge on Alexander Isak, and his protests to both referee John Brooks and fourth official Craig Pawson saw him receive a further charge from the FA.
On the first episode of a new Sky Sports series, Match Officials: Mic’d Up, the audio between Brooks and VAR official Stuart Attwell was released. The conversations between the two officials, as well as Van Dijk, provide an interesting insight into the decision-making process.
## Referee John Brooks and VAR Official Stuart Attwell Discuss Van Dijk’s Red Card
Attwell and his assistant can be heard making a series of checks including whether the foul came in the attacking possession phase (APP), whether Isak was offside and whether it denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO).
Brooks was adamant he made the right call from the off, with it eventually confirmed to Van Dijk’s disgust. The full transcript of the incident is provided below:
VAR: APP, possible offside, possible DOGSO.
Ref: It’s outside, outside, outside. And it’s a red card. He’s gone through, he’s gone through the man. Red card.
VAR: Delay, delay. Just checking mate.
Ref: No, he comes through the man. He comes through the man, through the man to play the ball.
VAR: OK, can you shift it? Have you got another angle on point of contact please?
Ref: He comes through the man, Stuart. It’s outside.
VAR: OK, it’s a clear foul. Brooksy, it’s Stuart. I’m happy with the foul, I’m just going to check sanction and APP, standby.
Ref (to players): They will check. And he’s not [in the box], he’s going inside. They will check, they will check.
VAR: OK, so the ball’s going to roll across the front of him. With the challenge, the attacker’s got position. He’s moving directly into the penalty area, that’s fine. Brooksy, I’m happy with the sanction. Just checking APP, standby.
Ref (to Van Dijk): Just wait. I’ll tell you, but you need to go immediately if you need to go.
VAR: OK, so the front two on the pass is a possibility of offside. OK, so I’m going to need a line on this nearside defender please. Just on his heel, please.
Ref (to Van Dijk): Just wait. It’s clearly a foul, they’re just checking the location. It’s clearly a foul. I’ll have the ball, don’t do anything silly.
VAR (checking offside): Thank you, confirmed. Nearest defender, left heel please. Matip, please, I think. Let’s try Van Dijk.
Assistant VAR: Brooksy, we’re just checking a tight offside in the buildup, OK?
Ref: OK.
Ref (to Van Dijk): Listen, you will be sent off unless he’s offside. It’s very, very tight, OK?
VAR: He’s clearly, yeah, he’s clearly onside. Check complete, mate. Confirmed all of the decision.
Ref (to Van Dijk): Free-kick. Go, go! Go now. Yes, no offside.
Van Dijk (to ref): Fucking joke.
## Analysis of Virgil van Dijk Red Card Incident
The audio recording reveals that Brooks was confident in his decision from the start and that VAR was simply confirming his call. The conversation also shows that Van Dijk was given ample warning before he was sent off and that he was aware that he could be dismissed if Isak was not deemed to be offside in the buildup to the challenge.
The incident has sparked debate among football fans and pundits alike as to whether or not Van Dijk deserved to be sent off for his challenge on Isak. While some argue that it was a necessary last-man challenge and that Van Dijk should not have