Ex referee Dermot Gallagher issues strong verdict on Casemiro red card and penalty calls
Dermot Gallagher, a former referee, has provided his opinion on the red card given to Casemiro during Manchester United’s match against Southampton.
The VAR system intervened and changed the yellow card given to Casemiro to a red card. This is Casemiro’s second red card of the season, which means he will have to serve a four-game suspension.
Despite Casemiro’s dismissal in the 35th minute, Manchester United managed to secure a 0-0 draw.
According to a report on Sky Sports News Ref Watch on March 13th at 11:30 am, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher expressed his agreement with the decision to give Casemiro a red card. When asked if the decision was correct, Gallagher confirmed that he supported the decision to send Casemiro off.
He said: “I think definitely. He lunges in, skims the top of the ball and catches his opponent hard on his shin.
“I think he’s lost control of his body. He’s reaching for the ball, he’s mistimed it. The result is a bad tackle.”
Dermot Gallagher also stated that, in his view, there was no argument to suggest that Casemiro had won the ball before the referee decided to issue the red card.
“I don’t think he did win the ball. He got a touch on the top of the ball.”
During the same interview, Dermot Gallagher was also asked about two other incidents – a penalty appeal for Bruno Fernandes and a handball appeal on Armel Bella-Kotchap. Gallagher opined that Fernandes’ appeal for a penalty was not justified and the decision to award a corner kick was correct.
Regarding the handball incident involving Bella-Kotchap, Gallagher disagreed that it was a handball.
Gallagher said: “One of the strangest incidents I’ve seen. It strikes his chest first of all.”
He added that he felt Bella-Kotchap tried to move his arm away from the ball rather than towards it, commenting: “I just can’t see a penalty being given.”
It appears that Gallagher was not asked for his opinion on a potential penalty appeal when Marcus Rashford went down in the box during the match.
The comments made by Gallagher suggest that Manchester United may face challenges in overturning the red card decision if they decide to lodge an appeal. Overall, it seems that Sunday’s match was a difficult one for Manchester United.
Ex referee Dermot Gallagher issues strong verdict on Casemiro red card and penalty calls
