Former English Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher thinks Motherwell player Devante Cole should have received a red card for his challenge on Jeremie Frimpong yesterday, speaking live on Sky Sports News (09/11, 11:15).
Frimpong was left in agony after the high, studs-up lunge from Cole and required to be substituted off for Hatem Abd Elhamed.
Referee Andrew Dallas decided to show the Motherwell man a yellow card, rather than the red many expected.
Online Celtic fans were left fuming with the decision.
Sportscene pundits Michael Stewart and Marvin Bartley would later follow that up with an analysis of the situation in Celtic’s favour.
Gallagher told Sky Sports News: “I think both players are extremely lucky. I think Cole is lucky he didn’t get a red card because the point of contact is really, really bad.
“And I think Frimpong is lucky he didn’t suffer a serious injury.
“If his leg is planted, that’s a very dangerous tackle. I just think the referee has read it wrong.”
Because Cole has already received a yellow card for the incident, he can’t be hauled up by the Scottish FA compliance officer, meaning he’s escaped substantial punishment for the horror tackle.
Celtic are currently waiting to see what the extent of Frimpong’s injury is. Hopefully it’s not a bad one and we see him back on the pitch sooner rather than later.
Referees need to dish out the required punishment for challenges like this, or it only emboldens others in the top-flight to take aim at quick, exciting wingers like the Dutch U20 player.
The Scottish FA should be looking at the competency of Dallas’ officiating too.
In other news, Celtic don’t have to worry about Tom Rogic disappearing with Australia anytime soon.
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