Ex-refs chief drops Mike Maignan red card verdict after re-analysing Bournemouth vs AC Milan footage
Michael Oliver was left with no choice but to send off AC Milan's Mike Maignan against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Maignan's "act of violence" was more than worthy of a red card.
In what was a historic night for the Cherries on Thursday, 22 October, it took just moments for the drama to kick start on the south coast.
Justin Kluivert netted a penalty in the eighth minute after a handball from Koni De Winter, and it only got worse for the Italian giants.
AC Milan's goalkeeper saw a red mist, using his hands to push Tyler Adams in the face at a corner, and immediately being sent for an early bath.
Impressively, Oliver saw the action as it happened in a crowded penalty area, and showed no hesitation in making a decision. But was it a red card?
Mike Maignan red card a spot-on decision
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett certainly believes so, slamming the goalkeeper for his poor decisions in a Europa League clash.
"You cannot put your hands in the face of your opponent in this manner," he explained after the scenes at the Vitality Stadium.
"The goalkeeper commits an act of violent conduct and rightly shown the red card."
Marco Rose's side more than capitalised on the extra man, with Marcus Tavernier scoring the resulting penalty, and Amine Adli adding a late third.
What are Bournemouth's chances in the Europa League?
After threee games, the Cherries are sitting third in the Europa League table, also beating Sturm Graz and Real Sociedad.
Rose's side are struggling in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone, but the Europa League is a currently different story.
And after their three games, Opta are predicting Bournemouth to finish second in the table, with a 14.52 per cent of winning the entire thing.
Other giants, such as Juventus, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Benfica, will all have something to say about that, but the early signs are very positive.