Barclaycard Premiership referee Dermot Gallagher will be relegated to the Nationwide Football League as a punishment for not sending off Robbie Keane during Leeds United's 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Saturday. The Republic of Ireland striker reacted to a hard tackle from David Beckham by knocking the United midfielder to the ground with a push in the face but Gallagher only saw fit to show the Leeds man a yellow card.
As a result of that decision, Gallagher will now be hauled before FA referees' manager Philip Don and will then be informed of the length of his suspension from the top flight. A statement from the FA condemned Gallagher for not showing Keane a red card when the Irishman floored Beckham right in front of the referee's eyes. Gallagher now faces a grilling from Don before the Select Group Referees - a committee of officials - decide how long his exile from the Premiership will last.
However, this decision has been slammed by former top referee Keith Cooper. Cooper, now chairman of the management committee for the Association of Premiership and Football League officials, believe Gallagher has been unfairly treated. "He's made one mistake and been pilloried for it and I find it totally unacceptable. It's rather harsh. Players make mistakes and so do referees, and had the referees had the benefit of the cold light of television replays I dare say Dermot would have made a different decision."
"It's a human error. Dermot Gallagher does not become a bad referee because of one mistake. clubs don't drop players for one mistake, why drop referees over one indiscretion? It's taking it to the extremities. He's one of the best refs in the country," added Cooper.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
