Fabian Hurzeler Questions VAR Decision After Brighton’s Red Card at Sunderland

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler described Pascal Struijk’s red card as a harsh decision during his side’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Sunderland. The defender was sent off following a VAR review after bringing down Wilson Isidor, but Hurzeler questioned whether the incident met the threshold for intervention, despite Brighton going on to secure their third consecutive league win without conceding a goal.

Hurzeler Expresses Reservations Over Struijk’s Dismissal

Fabian Hurzeler has questioned the decision to send off Brighton defender Pascal Struijk during his side’s 2-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, 10 October 2026.

The Brighton manager admitted that he initially considered the decision harsh, although he acknowledged that he had not watched the incident again before giving his verdict.

Struijk received a straight red card in the 57th minute after a VAR review determined that he had fouled Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor, who was advancing towards goal. The decision left Brighton with ten players for more than half an hour of the contest.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, Hurzeler explained that, based on his understanding of how VAR should operate, he had not seen an obvious error that justified the intervention. He also indicated that he needed to review the footage before reaching a final conclusion.

His comments have brought renewed attention to the interpretation of red-card incidents and the threshold officials must meet before overturning or changing an on-field decision.

How the VAR Review Changed the Course of the Match

The incident occurred shortly after Brighton had taken the lead through Maxim De Cuyper in the 53rd minute.

Isidor was played through on goal and went down following a challenge from Struijk. The referee initially allowed play to continue, but VAR official Neil Davies reviewed the incident and recommended a closer examination.

Following the review, Struijk was shown a red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, commonly referred to as DOGSO.

The dismissal gave Sunderland a numerical advantage with more than 30 minutes remaining, creating an opportunity for the home side to put Brighton under pressure and pursue an equaliser.

However, Brighton responded with a disciplined defensive display. Rather than allowing the dismissal to undermine their organisation, Hurzeler’s players remained compact and limited Sunderland’s opportunities to recover from the deficit.

The visitors eventually secured the result in stoppage time, when substitute Jaouen Hadjam scored the second goal to confirm the victory.

Premier League Explains Why Struijk Was Sent Off

The Premier League Match Centre subsequently explained the reasoning behind the decision, stating that the red card was issued after the VAR review identified a foul that denied Sunderland an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.

According to the official explanation, the referee concluded that Struijk’s challenge had prevented Isidor from taking advantage of a promising opportunity to score.

The decision therefore rested on the DOGSO criteria rather than simply the severity of the physical contact. Under the Laws of the Game, officials must consider factors including the distance to goal, the direction of play, the likelihood of the attacker gaining or retaining control of the ball and the positions of other defenders.

Hurzeler’s comments, however, centred on whether the intervention was justified under the standard applied to VAR reviews. His initial reaction was that the decision appeared harsh, but he made clear that he had not yet reviewed the footage sufficiently to offer a definitive assessment.

The distinction is important because a manager’s immediate reaction does not, by itself, establish whether a refereeing decision was correct. The official explanation provides the basis on which the incident was judged.

Brighton Show Defensive Resolve After Losing a Player

Despite being reduced to ten men, Brighton maintained their advantage and continued to frustrate Sunderland throughout the closing stages.

Hurzeler praised his players for their collective effort, highlighting their defensive discipline and willingness to work together under difficult circumstances. He described the victory as deserved and stressed the importance of maintaining a strong defensive mindset when facing adversity.

Brighton’s response was particularly significant because Sunderland had the numerical advantage and the opportunity to increase the pressure on the visitors.

Instead, the home side struggled to convert that advantage into a goal. Brighton remained organised before Hadjam struck in the third minute of stoppage time to put the result beyond doubt.

The performance demonstrated how effective defensive organisation can help a team protect a lead even after losing a player. It also allowed Brighton to leave Wearside with three points despite the controversy surrounding Struijk’s dismissal.

Three Consecutive Clean Sheets Strengthen Brighton’s Momentum

The win extended Brighton’s run to three successive Premier League victories without conceding a goal.

After defeating Arsenal 3-0 before the international break, the Seagulls followed up with another clean sheet and a convincing result away from home. Their latest performance reinforced the importance of defensive consistency alongside their attacking threat.

The victory also left Brighton third in the Premier League table, with 13 points from their opening six matches, according to the available match report and league standings.

Hurzeler nevertheless emphasised that his immediate priority was not the league position but the team’s performances and continued improvement.

That approach reflects the demands of a long campaign, in which maintaining standards across successive fixtures can be just as important as a strong start. Brighton will now look to carry their current momentum into their next assignments while monitoring the consequences of Struijk’s dismissal.

Focus Turns to the Aftermath of the Controversial Decision

The main talking point from Brighton’s visit to Sunderland is likely to remain the VAR intervention and its impact on the contest.

Hurzeler has expressed his initial reservations, but his comments also leave room for further assessment because he had not watched the replay when speaking after the match. His final judgement could therefore depend on what the footage shows.

For Brighton, the immediate concern will be managing the consequences of Struijk’s sending-off and determining their defensive options for upcoming fixtures. The dismissal also highlights the importance of understanding the circumstances in which VAR can be used to review potential red-card offences.

Sunderland, meanwhile, will be disappointed not to have taken advantage of their numerical superiority, particularly after falling behind early in the second half.

Ultimately, Brighton’s 2-0 victory was secured through disciplined defending and a late second goal. However, Hurzeler’s reaction ensures that the circumstances surrounding Struijk’s dismissal will remain an important part of the post-match discussion.