Antoine Griezmann red card: Why Atletico Madrid striker was sent off for high tackle against Liverpool

Antoine Griezmann was Atletico Madrid’s first-half hero against Liverpool but then saw red just seven minutes into the second half.

The France international was the reason why Atletico were level at half-time in their Champions League group meeting, scoring twice at the Wanda after Liverpool had taken a two-goal lead.

His night ended early however when he was shown a straight red for a high challenge on Roberto Firmino, a call which initially seemed harsh as Griezmann seemingly only had eyes for the ball.

The player protested, as did his Atletico teammates, but Griezmann did eventually make his way down the tunnel after checking Firmino – who was clutching his head after being caught by his opponent’s boot – was okay to continue.

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Antoine Griezmann remonstrates with referee Daniel Siebert (Photo: Reuters)

Daniel Siebert shows a red card to Antoine Griezmann (Photo: Getty)

Per football’s lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), Griezmann’s tackle goes down as “serious foul play” – which former referee Peter Walton pointed out on BT Sport’s coverage – given his high boot endangered the safety of Firmino.

Serious foul play

Per IFAB rules:

A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.

Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.

This is a somewhat controversial call given Griezmann was evidently looking at the ball, but what appeared to be accidental was ultimately a red card going by the rules.

Diego Simeone remonstrates with referee Daniel Siebert (Photo: Reuters)

Antoine Griezmann leaves the field after getting a red card (Photo: Getty)

The incident also had viewers recalling Nani’s red card for Manchester United against Real Madrid, with the Portuguese forward sent off when looking to bring the ball down but instead catching Alvaro Arbeloa during their 2013 meeting.

Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid coach at the time, said: “I can say for certain Arbeloa did not feign contact. It was quite strong and he was shown a red. It could have been a yellow.”

The then and now current Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan added: “The manager is not in a state to talk to the referee about the decision. I think it speaks volumes I am here speaking now and not the manager of this fantastic football club. The decision seemed very harsh, possibly incredible at that moment in the game.”

from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3aSMoBz