Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher made his position clear on whether or not Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez should have been sent off for his two-footed challenge.
Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw on Saturday in their Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Erik ten Hag’s men were the dominant side from the contest at Selhurst Park, despite the Red Devils being unable to break the deadlock.
United were forced to settle for a point on their trip away from home, with Erik ten Hag’s side currently 11th in the Premier League table after five matches.
The Red Devils were fortunate to end the match with all 11 men after Lisandro Martinez could have received a red card for a controversial challenge.
Gallagher on Martinez’s challenge
Lisandro Martinez leapt into the air and came down with both feet in a mistimed tackle while Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada challenged for the ball.
Referee David Coote did not brandish a red card for the Manchester United defender, with Martinez instead receiving a yellow for his challenge.
Palace were awarded a free-kick after the challenge on the edge of the area, but Martinez was met with fierce criticism for his reckless tackle in the second half.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Dermot Gallagher admitted that Martinez “saved” himself from a red card because he caught the ball in the challenge.
However, the ex-Premier League referee admitted that he once sent a player off for a “dangerous tackle,” even though he “didn’t touch him” in the challenge.
“I think that’s what saved him from getting a red card – that he didn’t make contact with the player,” Gallagher said.
“He’s given the referee a big decision to make. The fact he has caught the ball rather than the player has saved him.
“I sent a player off once for a dangerous tackle, who didn’t touch him. I said he doesn’t have to break his leg for it to be a red card.”
Palace boss furious with Martinez tackle
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner branded Martinez’s tackle as a “bit violent” and believes that he could have broken Daichi Kamada’s leg if he connected.
“To me, it looked a bit violent,” he said.
“Luckily, he hit the ball and not the shin of our player. If he had, he would have broken his leg.
“The referee decided that there was no red card, and I will not complain about the decision because we ourselves made many more wrong decisions than the referee.”
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