Agree, he hasn’t kicked the ball he’s kicked Gordon.
A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences against an opponent in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
- kicks or attempts to kick
- Careless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed
- Reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned
- Using excessive force is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off
Phillips wasn't carded so it wasn't reckless.
He wasn't sent off, so he didn't use excessive force.
Which leaves careless. Gordon came in from behind and didn't play the ball, so Phillips can't be accused of a lack of either attention or consideration.
So according to VAR the ref made an error of judgement, with a high enough bar for a penalty, with regards to Phillips acting without precaution, mid-kick, to a player coming from his blind-side and not playing the ball. Which essentially means you can win a penalty by throwing yourself into a dangerous situation which is an indirect-free kick offence in and of itself:
An indirect free kick is awarded if a player:
- plays in a dangerous manner
PLAYING IN A DANGEROUS MANNER
Playing in a dangerous manner is any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player themself) and includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury.
Ludicrous decision.