Former referee defends Michael Oliver's decision to send off Diogo Dalot

Former referee defends Michael Oliver's decision to send off Diogo Dalot|COURTESY

EPL Former referee defends Michael Oliver's decision to send off Diogo Dalot

Allan Damba 15:47 - 18.12.2023

The Portuguese was furious with the decision, as were the United fans, and threw his arms in the air and yelled at the referee to receive two yellow cards in less than a minute.

English referee Michael Oliver showed Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot the exit at Anfield as the latter drew 0-0 with nemesis Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

Dalot thought he won his side a throw-in late on; replays showed he was indeed correct, but the referee and the linesman awarded a throw-in for the hosts, who were pushing for a winner.

Michael Oliver sent off Diogo Dalot|COURTESY

The Portuguese was furious with the decision, as were the United fans, and threw his arms in the air and yelled at the referee to receive two yellow cards in less than a minute.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher gave his verdict on the decision and believes that Oliver made the right call.

“I think it was the right decision to send him off,” Gallagher said. “Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s a good look from Dalot, it’s not the image we want fans to remember from the game."

Former referee Dermot Gallagher || Credit: The Empire of The Kop

“Whether you like it or not that’s the remit that the referees have been given for dissent, hence why there are so many yellow cards given for dissent this season," he added.

“It’s difficult because the game has changed from 50 years ago when I used to referee during the black-and-white era of TV. Everything is forensically diagnosed.”

After 90 minutes of brilliance from Dalot, keeping Luis Diaz quiet, sending off the 24-year-old in the circumstances sparked rage among the Manchester United fans.