The English Football League (EFL) has provided clarification on the decision not to penalize Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo for a first-half challenge on Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch during the Carabao Cup final.

In a collision that resulted in Gravenberch being stretchered off, Caicedo’s tackle raised eyebrows, prompting scrutiny from both fans and managers alike.

Following a thorough review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), it was determined that Caicedo’s challenge, while reckless, did not warrant a sending-off or retrospective punishment. The tackle was deemed to be a reckless foul rather than serious foul play, resulting in no action being taken against the Chelsea player.

Despite calls for a yellow card, the absence of an initial booking by referee Chris Kavanagh meant that no further sanctions could be applied via VAR.

Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, expressed frustration with the decision, emphasizing the significance of such tackles in high-stakes matches like the Carabao Cup final.

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean, analyzing the incident, suggested that while the tackle may have warranted a caution, the on-field referee’s decision not to issue a card hindered any potential retrospective action.

The contentious tackle further fueled the intensity of the final, with Chelsea narrowly missing out on a goal shortly after the incident.