Sport nationEverton’s Iliman Ndiaye Booking: Former Premier League Referee Dermot Gallagher Weighs In
The controversy surrounding Iliman Ndiaye’s booking in Everton’s 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday has sparked a heated debate among football fans and pundits alike. The Senegal international’s celebration, which involved mimicking a seagull, seemingly in reference to Brighton’s nickname, earned him a yellow card from referee Tim Robinson.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has now weighed in on the incident, offering his expert analysis on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch programme. Gallagher, who has officiated numerous high-profile matches throughout his career, believes that Ndiaye’s booking was unnecessary, but understands why Robinson may have felt compelled to take action.
“Inciting supporters,” Gallagher explained. “They are the Brighton fans, are you inciting them? [Ndiaye] would say it’s a bit of fun, football is there to be enjoyed. Is it necessary? For me, no. But for Tim [Robinson] he obviously felt it was.”
Gallagher’s assessment highlights the complexities of refereeing in modern football. While Ndiaye’s celebration may have been seen as harmless by many, Robinson’s decision to book him demonstrates the need for referees to maintain control and discipline on the pitch.
The former referee also cautioned against the potential consequences of issuing unnecessary yellow cards. “The thing I talk to young referees about is bear in mind that if you give someone a yellow card when you could avoid it you put yourself under pressure. Not just the player. Because when something happens later in the game you then have to deal with this.”
In addition to Ndiaye’s booking, Gallagher also shared his thoughts on the penalty awarded to Everton. Brighton defender Joel Veltman was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box under pressure from Beto, leading to a VAR review and the eventual awarding of a spot-kick.
Veltman and Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler were both adamant that the decision was incorrect, while Everton boss David Moyes described it as a “definite penalty.” Gallagher’s analysis suggests that the VAR system worked effectively in this instance, allowing the referee to make an informed decision.
“His arm doesn’t scrape the ball, he swipes the ball. Is he pushed? I really don’t think it’s enough to push him over like that. “What I will say is that’s great intervention by the VAR. If you watch, the referee is tracking behind. He couldn’t see that, it’s shielded. But the VAR really works well.”
As the debate surrounding Ndiaye’s booking and the penalty decision continues, Gallagher’s expert analysis provides a nuanced perspective on the complexities of refereeing in modern football. While opinions may vary, one thing is certain – the use of VAR and the interpretation of the laws of the game will remain a topic of discussion for fans and pundits alike.
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