Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher says Ryan Gravenberch was unlucky to receive his first yellow card against Manchester City, but believes his second booking was justified.
Gravenberch was sent off with the game goalless after bringing down Jeremy Doku, in a flashpoint that shifted the momentum in City's favour. The Liverpool midfielder had been one of the standout performers for an hour before his dismissal.
Speaking on Sky Sports News' Ref Watch, Gallagher said referee Chris Kavanagh was harsh in his initial decision, believing the official mistakenly thought Gravenberch had caught Doku's knee rather than the top of his boot. "He catches the top of his boot. He is very unlucky," Gallagher said.
Former Tottenham and Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood agreed that the first caution was unwarranted, arguing Gravenberch had made an attempt to win the ball and pulled out of the challenge. Gallagher, however, was adamant that the second booking was correct, pointing to the impact of the challenge rather than its severity. "He is already on a yellow, he knows that and the referee knows that," he said. Sherwood also accepted that Gravenberch had left himself vulnerable by attempting to stop Doku, who was able to move the ball away from the challenge.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing