Dermot Gallagher, a former referee, has shared his opinion on the red card given to Casemiro during the match between Manchester United and Southampton. The decision was initially a yellow card but was later changed to a red card following VAR intervention. As this was Casemiro’s second red card this season, he is now facing a four-game suspension. The match ended in a 0-0 draw with Casemiro being sent off in the 35th minute.
Speaking on Sky Sports News Ref Watch on March 13th at 11:30 am, Gallagher confirmed his support of the decision to send off the player.
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.”
Gallagher said there was no argument to say Casemiro won the ball.
“I don’t think he did win the ball. He got a touch on the top of the ball.”
🗣️ “I think he’s lost control of his body. The result is bad, I think it’s a bad tackle. I don’t think he won the ball.”
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 13, 2023
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher says Casemiro was CORRECTLY sent off against Southampton. 🟥 pic.twitter.com/F5P2ij8UQl
During his appearance on Sky Sports News Ref Watch, Gallagher also provided his analysis on two penalty appeals during the match. In regards to Bruno Fernandes’ appeal, Gallagher believed it was not a penalty and that the decision to award a corner was correct. He also disagreed with the handball appeal on Armel Bella-Kotchap, stating that it was one of the strangest incidents he had seen and that the ball struck the player’s chest first. Gallagher added that he believed Bella-Kotchap was trying to move his arm away from the ball, rather than towards it, and therefore could not see a penalty being given. Gallagher was not questioned about a potential penalty appeal when Marcus Rashford fell in the box. Overall, Gallagher’s comments indicate that Manchester United face a difficult task in winning an appeal against Casemiro’s red card if they choose to lodge one.
