Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Andy Robertson’s red card in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham was an error. The Scotland defender was dismissed in the 17th minute for a foul on Harry Wilson after miscontrolling the ball, allowing Wilson to intercept and then being brought down by Robertson.
Referee Tony Harrington initially allowed the advantage, resulting in a shot from Fulham’s Raul Jimenez. Gallagher argued that this decision complicated the situation. At the time, Liverpool were already trailing 1-0 after Andreas Pereira’s early goal, but the Reds later equalized twice, with Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota scoring.
The match featured several controversial refereeing calls, including Issa Diop and Andreas Pereira avoiding red cards in the opening minutes. Gallagher stated that Robertson’s dismissal was incorrect, saying, “I didn’t think it was a red card at the time, and I still don’t.”
Gallagher explained, “Robertson didn’t see Wilson coming, miscontrolled the ball, and Wilson touched it. You have to ask, ‘Is Wilson in control of the ball?’ No. ‘Is he likely to gain control?’ Very doubtful, as a Liverpool player was nearby. ‘Is he heading toward goal?’ No. There are too many uncertainties to justify a red card.”
He also noted that allowing the advantage to continue created further complications: “If the referee thought it was a red card, he should have stopped play immediately. By letting it go and then calling it back after the shot, the situation became unnecessarily complicated.”
Gallagher suggested that a yellow card would have been a better decision, stating, “By allowing the advantage, the referee lost control. If you’re sure it’s a red card, stop play immediately to avoid confusion.”
In conclusion, Gallagher argued that the referee’s handling of the incident led to avoidable complications, leaving players, fans, and pundits questioning the decision-making process.
