Leandro Trossard’s red card became a talking point during a heated Premier League encounter between Arsenal and Manchester City. The Belgian forward was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, an action deemed as delaying the restart of play. This decision left Arsenal to battle with ten men for a significant portion of the match, ultimately impacting their performance.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher weighed in on the incident during his appearance on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch show. Gallagher, known for his candid assessments of refereeing decisions, expressed his sympathy for Trossard, acknowledging the player’s intent and the broader context of the match.
“I feel for him because he has gone to pull out, but it is too late; the damage is already done,” Gallagher remarked. He highlighted the stringent enforcement of rules this season, noting that referees have been particularly strict on actions perceived as time-wasting. “We’ve already seen it earlier this season; referees are very hard on it. He should know not to do it,” Gallagher added.
Gallagher’s comments reflect a deep understanding of the pressures and split-second decisions players face on the pitch. He pointed out that while Trossard’s action was punishable under the current rules, there have been instances where similar actions have gone unpunished, leading to frustrations about consistency in officiating.
The incident also sparked comparisons with Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku, who was involved in a similar situation but escaped without a booking. Gallagher addressed this by differentiating between the two scenarios, explaining that Doku’s action did not constitute delaying the restart in the same manner.
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