Exclusive: Ex-FIFA ref reacts as Dundee United man escapes red card at Rangers
Keith Hackett has given his verdict on whether Dundee United defender Vicko Sevelj should have been sent off during his side’s defeat to Rangers.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider he did not believe the Croatian’s challenge that led to a penalty should have also earned him a second yellow card.
Interim Rangers manager Barry Ferguson was looking to boost any remaining hope he has of getting the job permanently when his side hosted the Terrors at Ibrox on Wednesday night (14 May).
After the visitors had taken the lead through Samuel Cleall-Harding, the home team had quickly levelled through Cyriel Dessers after 25 minutes.
Before the first half had ended, Rangers were denied a penalty after a VAR review following a challenge on Dessers by Cleall-Harding.
They would though, get another chance to take the lead from the spot during the second half.
Vicko Sevelj concedes penalty but avoids red card
With around 20 minutes of normal time remaining and the score still locked at 1-1, Vaclav Cerny attempted to play the ball into Mohamed Diomande inside the Dundee United area.
But before the Rangers man was able to play the ball, he was brought down by a challenge from Sevelj as he rushed in.
| Vicko Sevelj vs Rangers | Total (SofaScore) |
| Clearances | 5 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Tackles | 3 |
| Duels Won | 4/11 |
| Fouls | 5 |
| Accurate Passes | 10/15 |
Initially, referee Calum Scott did not give a penalty, only for VAR to recommend an on-field review, which than led to a spot kick being awarded to the hosts.
Sevelj had already been booked in the game, which led to some of a Rangers persuasion questioning whether the Dundee United man should have been shown a second yellow card to send him off.
Hackett though feels that in the end the correct outcome was reached in every respect following that VAR review.
‘Rangers can have no complaints over no second yellow’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider whether Sevelj should have been given a second yellow after conceding that penalty, the former referee said:
“The referee after awarding the penalty kick took in my view the correct course of action by not issuing a second yellow card to the player.
“It was a careless challenge and the penalty kick award without the card was the correct action by the referee.”
Dessers would then convert that spot kick to make it 2-1 to the hosts, with Nico Raskin adding a third with a brilliant finish just moment later.
That was enough to secure a 3-1 win for Rangers over Dundee United in their final game at Ibrox this season.