Rangers’ appeal over the red card shown to Mohamed Diomande at Dundee United has been successful.
The midfielder was sent off late on at Tannadice Park after an incident with Kevin Holt, with referee Nick Walsh sticking with his original decision after a VAR review.
Speaking after their 3-1 win over United, Gers boss Philippe Clement said the decision to send off Diomande was “incredible”, before adding his player was “attacked” and that he did not touch Holt.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher told Sky Sports’ Ref Watch: “I was surprised the red card came out and even more surprised when the referee was sent to the screen and stuck with his original decision”.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock added it was “a real bad decision”.
With Diomande cleared at the fast-track SFA hearing on Tuesday, he now avoids a two-game domestic ban and could feature against Ross County on Sunday – with Rangers also in Europa League action prior to that on Thursday.
What was said on Ref Watch?
Gallagher, speaking on Sky Sports News during Ref Watch, said: “I was surprised the red card came out and even more surprised when the referee was sent to the screen and stuck with his original decision.
“It does prove that if you go to the screen all options are available.
“He gets pushed twice and then raises his arms. Does he connect with his face? Does he mean to connect with his face?
“The other thing to remember, in law, is it brutal or malicious? This doesn’t come into either.”
Warnock added: “I’m still trying to work out what he’s seen! It’s a real bad decision and it will be interesting to see what the fallout is and what his explanation is.”
Ex-England international Sue Smith said: “It’s never a red card. I watched it from all different angles and I just can’t see how it is a red card.
“Diomande gets pushed and is moving away from Kevin Holt. He doesn’t connect with him at all.
“It was a real shock decision, in particular after the referee went to the screen.”
Boyd: Red card was embarrassing
Speaking on Sky Sports after Rangers’ win at Tannadice Park, former Rangers striker Kris Boyd said: “It’s embarrassing. I think sometimes when you go to the monitor, you can be too stubborn. Sometimes you’ve just got to admit you got it wrong and Nick Walsh should have.
“There is no excessive force, there’s no brutality and if I’m Rangers I would have my appeal in right now.
“It’s a little bit inconclusive, even if he slaps him. There is no excessive force in that. There’s no brutality at all. I cannot understand. Walsh is right there and from his angle it might look as if he’s caught him.
“It’s inconclusive. I’m watching it about 40 times here and we’re still arguing about it, which tells us that it’s not conclusive.”
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton had a different view, adding: “You can’t slap people in the face. You just can’t do that.
“He does slap. I think he does catch him. Nick Walsh was right on the spot there so I just think, while we can criticise Nick Walsh, I think that the player has to show discipline.
“You can’t just go around slapping people. If you don’t send him off for that, you’re just saying all games should be a free-for-all.”