FORMER TOP REFEREE Dermot Gallagher has delivered his verdict on Devante Cole’s shocking tackle of Jeremie Frimpong in yesterday’s 4-1 win over Motherwell. The former Premier League ref has called out Andrew Dallas’ decision saying both players were ‘extremely lucky’ – Frimpong to avoid a serious injury and Cole a straight red card.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Gallagher reckons that the referee has read the situation wrong but had Frimpong planted his foot, he could have been looking at a serious amount of time on the sidelines.
“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.”
The referee’s job is to protect the players and implement the rules of the game and here Dallas is lacking. Neil Lennon fears there could be ligament damage and this would have been the result whether or not the card was red but it would have acted as a lesson that these kind of reckless challenges aren’t allowed in the game today.
Whether there is retrospective action against Cole remains to be seen; however, one thing is certain and that is that Dallas got the decision wrong and Cole should have been sent off.
