The contentious red card issued to Rangers during their Scottish Premiership win at Tannadice this afternoon stemmed from what referee Nick Walsh deemed a deliberate act.
Mohamed Diomande was dismissed in the closing moments of the match, with Philippe Clement’s side securing a 3-1 victory. The midfielder reacted angrily to a shove from United defender Kevin Holt, appearing to raise his hand in Holt’s direction. However, video replays were inconclusive as to whether any contact was actually made.
Clement has since confirmed that Rangers plan to appeal the decision. Despite VAR advising Walsh to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, the referee upheld his original call.
It’s believed Walsh interpreted Diomande’s actions as intentional, with a source at the Scottish FA suggesting the swing of his arm was significant enough in Walsh’s judgment to warrant a red card for violent conduct.
Under IFAB’s Law 12, it states: “A player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible.”
