Son should NOT have been sent off for challenge on Everton’s Andre Gomes and VAR would have prevented the red card

ANDRE GOMES will undergo surgery today following his horror broken and dislocated right ankle.

Everton released a statement last night confirming the Portuguese's devastating injury that left Spurs star Son Heung-min in floods of tears.

The South Korean was sent off following his challenge and boss Mauricio Pochettino labelled Martin Atkinson's decision as "unbelievable."

Here's the expert view of ex-Premier League referee Mark Halsey.

I WATCHED Son Heung-min’s reckless challenge on Andre Gomes and thought the same as Martin Atkinson — yellow card.

The Tottenham forward denied a promising attack but I didn’t think it was serious foul play and a red card.

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• Everton confirm surgery for Gomes on Monday after breaking right ankle
• Everton stars including Coleman went into Spurs dressing room to comfort Son
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• Tosun recalls harrowing moment Andre Gomes lay crying in shock with his eyes wide open after Son tackle
  

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Son’s foul did not endanger the player’s safety and it was so unfortunate Everton midfielder Gomes’ studs caught in the turf before his sickening collision with Serge Aurier.

Initially, Atkinson had a yellow in his hand but having seen the reaction on the players’ faces and the crowd, he gave himself more thinking time by putting it back in his pocket.

With emotions running high, Atkinson then issued a red card on the basis of his human response.

He should not receive any criticism because any referee in that horrible position would have done the same.

We do not know if VAR official Anthony Taylor got involved but the cold technology could have helped Atkinson.

Son has been red carded for the unfortunate consequences of what happened next, not for the foul itself.

So I have to ask the question, since when did the laws of the game say the outcome of a foul dictates the appropriate disciplinary action? It’s not in the laws of the game.

It’s a wrongful dismissal for Son and if VAR had got involved, I believe the South Korean would not have been sent off.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says the club will appeal and I believe they will have every chance of the decision being overturned.

A Premier League statement last night tried to protect the referee and justify the decision. But, in truth, that didn’t need to be issued so soon because everyone in football will only be thinking about the welfare of Gomes.