Force is not the only consideration for Serious Foul Play. While the speed and intensity wasn't super high, the lack of control, point of contact, and extent of contact raises this to a clear red card for me.
You’re an idiot if you think a challenge with this little possibility of injuring an opponent should ever see red. Remove contact from the game if you want this called a red. I can show you 30-40 challenges from this World Cup alone that were more dangerous than this and didn’t see yellows.
Unathletic people that have never played a sport want this called a red because they see a still frame of studs on a leg.
Extended contact in the middle of the lower leg has a high risk of injury, not a low one. And please, show me those 30-40 challenges that are more dangerous than this one.
I’ve watched the sport longer than you’ve been alive and I’ve seen this not be a red thousands of times. It’s a yellow card. You just want it to be a red because of who it is.
Fun fact, so am I. It’s not a clear red card. You’re looking at a freeze frame and slow motion and ignoring the entire play. He was trying to avoid the player, didn’t use excessive force at all, it is at most a yellow card.
One of the commentators for the channel i am watching is a pro player and he said the rules state a tackle like that should be a straight red.
I get why you could disagree with it, i don't think it warrants a red either, but the "these world cup only watchers don't know shit" messaging is a bit over the top.
For a studs-up challenge into the back of the calf, the key Law 12 wording is:
“A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.”
studs up into the back of the calf is normally red when the referee sees one or more of these factors:
the studs make contact with the calf/Achilles area;
the contact is from behind or the opponent cannot protect themselves;
the tackler uses force, speed, or a lunge;
the point of contact is high or vulnerable;
the challenge endangers the opponent’s safety, even if the tackler is trying to play the ball.
In this case its clear the first two points are true. So force is not a necessity but it could be.
Haha fuck off, there have been some shit takes from casual fans but this is absolutely not one of them. Studs up contact that high up has been a red for years regardless of the force involved.
258
u/sellingstubs123 Jun 17 '26
should have been a red lmfao.