Exclusive: Ex-PGMOL boss’ Ramsdale red card view as Tottenham relegate Southampton
Keith Hackett has reacted after Southampton keeper Aaron Ramsdale escaped punishment for handling outside his area as his side were relegated by defeat to Tottenham.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the 26-year-old did not deserve to be dismissed over the incident as he did not stop a promising attack, but should have been booked.
Like almost all of his teammates, Ramsdale has endured a difficult season with Southampton, following his move from Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
That culminated in a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday (6 April), that saw the Saints become the first club to be relegated from the Premier League with seven games of the season still to be played.
The goalkeeper though did at least avoid punishment at the home of his former club’s bitter rivals, following one incident during the second half of that match.
Aaron Ramsdale escapes card for handball
With Tottenham already leading 2-0 thanks to a brace from Brennan Johnson in the first half, the second half saw Dominic Solanke produce a decent save from Ramsdale with a shot from the edge of the area.
As the Southampton goalkeeper then chased after the ball on the rebound, he would exit his penalty area and go to ground under pressure from Solanke.
In the process of doing so, Ramsdale also threw out a hand to bring the ball under control, despite no longer being in his box.
| Premier League position | Played | Points |
| 17. Wolves | 31 | 32 |
| 18. Ipswich | 31 | 20 |
| 19. Leicester | 30 | 17 |
| 20. Southampton (R) | 31 | 10 |
The England international did however manage to get away with doing so without being shown a card of any colour by referee Michael Salisbury.
Now, Hackett has explained why he believes the Southampton ace should have been shown a yellow card, rather than a red, for that incident.
Southampton goalkeeper ‘lucky’ after Tottenham offence
After being asked by Football Insider if Ramsdale should have been shown a card for that handball, Hackett said:
“He’s lucky that he’s escaped a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. It wouldn’t be red for the denial [of a goalscoring opportunity].
“There’s always a view that if a goalkeeper handles outside the area it’s a red card. It isn’t. So it’s an act of unsporting behaviour.
“H’s not stopped a promising attack, he’s not stopped a goalscoring opportunity so as such, it should have been a free kick and yellow card to Ramsdale.”
Manager Ivo Juric has already left Southampton since the club’s relegation was confirmed with this defeat at Tottenham.
Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is understood to be a fan of Ramsdale, meaning the goalkeeper could be another on his way out of St Mary’s in the summer.