Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has expressed surprise at Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande’s red card during their 3-1 victory over Dundee United on Sunday. Gallagher described referee Nick Walsh’s decision to uphold the red card after a VAR review as “surprising.”
In the final moments of the Scottish Premiership match, Diomande was shoved by Dundee United’s Kevin Holt. In response, Diomande’s flailing arm appeared to make light contact with Holt. Despite the incident seeming minor, Walsh issued a red card and, after consulting the VAR monitor, chose to stick with his initial call— a decision Gallagher strongly questioned.
Speaking on *Sky Sports News*, Gallagher supported Rangers manager Philippe Clement, who criticized the decision. Gallagher said:
“I was surprised when the red card was issued and even more so when Nick Walsh, after reviewing it on the screen, upheld the decision. Diomande gets pushed twice, raises his arms— but does he make contact with the face? Was it intentional? It’s important to consider if it was brutal or malicious, and I don’t think it was either.”
Fellow pundit Sue Smith also criticized the call, calling it “a shocking decision.” She stated:
“It’s never a red card in a million years. I’ve watched it from all angles, and he doesn’t make any real connection. I expected Walsh to realize his mistake when reviewing it and overturn the card. It’s a baffling decision.”
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