Ruben van Bommel's disgraceful challenge proves VAR has completely lost sight of what a red card is

Is it just me, or has football at the highest level completely lost sight of what a red card is? Take the incident in Saturday night's Klassieker between Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, for example.

Despite launching himself into Aaron Bouwman at speed and with enough force to cause serious injury, PSV forward Ruben van Bommel was somehow only shown a yellow card by referee Sander van der Eijk.

In fact, to the bemusement of many onlookers, the video assistant referee, Pol van Boekel, did not intervene. Why? While watching the replays, Van Boekel was focused on a possible elbow from Van Bommel.

According to the VAR, the player's elbow did not stick out, meaning he did not deem the foul dangerous.

It feels like VAR has become so obsessed with specific points of contact - in this case, an elbow - that it can overlook the bigger picture. If a challenge is that forceful and, let's be clear, dangerous, surely a red card should be deemed the correct punishment?

For me, serious questions need to be asked. How did this happen, and what really constitutes a red card these days? A review is needed - not just in the Eredivisie, but across every league using the system.

The consequences of Ruben van Bommel's challenge on Aaron Bouwman

Bouwman has been ruled out for the remainder of the month after examinations showed that he suffered several injuries, including bruising to his sternum and a bruised lung, after the challenge from Van Bommel.

Ajax confirmed that he remained in hospital on Sunday for observation.

Van Bommel, meanwhile, is said to have visited Bouwman in the dressing room after Saturday's final whistle. PSV manager Peter Bosz said the Dutchman was "really upset" following the incident.

"He was the only one who didn’t join in the celebrations in the changing room, because that was definitely not his intention," added Bosz. "And yes, when you see that boy leaving the pitch like that, it’s not a pretty sight.

“You can see that he reckons that when the ball bounces, he’ll be able to head it away. It’s only once he’s in the air that he realises Bouwman is close by, and he turns away to avoid a head-to-head collision. That’s when the impact is huge."

Aaron Bouwman was left in a heap by Ruben van Bommel. Image credit: ESPN NL

Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen, meanwhile, said Van Bommel's challenge was "nothing but a red card".

Dutch officiating chief speaks out on Van Bommel incident

Raymond van Meenen, the head of refereeing at the Dutch football association, believes Van Bommel should have been sent off for the incident.

"It’s not that complicated," he told AD. "Van Bommel goes into this aerial challenge with such force and speed that he poses a threat to his opponent’s safety. That warrants a red card.

"And it has nothing to do with an elbow or anything like that. In this case, his body is the ‘weapon’".