Sky Sports is reporting Sunderland are to appeal against the red card issued to Sebastian Larsson during the defeat to Manchester United.
Larsson, dismissed just before half time at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, was shown a straight red card by Craig Pawson for a challenge on Ander Herrera.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, who wasn’t ‘convinced’ Larsson’s challenge warranted the punishment dished out, feels the Swede’s sending off was harsh.
‘I think the referee is of the opinion that Larsson has rolled his foot over the top of the ball and used that as a leverage to follow through to the player, but I’m not convinced,’ Gallagher told Sky Sports.
Adding.
‘I don’t think that it has got that speed or intensity and he hasn’t gone flying through the air. I don’t think he is going to seriously endanger the opponent. For me, it is a yellow card. What I will say is that it has really split people and you see people saying ‘yes, it’s red’ or ‘yes, it’s yellow’.’
Would Larsson remaining on the pitch for Sunderland, a goal down at the time, have made much difference? Well, it’s hard to say, but given the season the Black Cats have had so far I don’t think it really too harsh to say no…
An appeal, not that it’ll alter that result and/or the probable eventually outcome this season, is planned though.
