Keith Hackett reacts to Joe Rothwell red card in Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough as footage re-analysed
Sheffield United midfielder Joe Rothwell was rightly sent off by Gavin Ward after he lunged in on Middlesbrough’s Alan Browne in their Monday night clash at Bramall Lane.
That is the verdict of former PGMOL boss and FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Rothwell‘s tackle reached the threshold for serious foul play.
Middlesbrough shot to the top of the Championship for the first time this season with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Sheffield United on Monday night.
Kim Hellberg‘s side took a commanding lead in the first half through strikes from Tommy Conway and Riley McGree.
Patrick Bamford pulled one back for the Blades in the 73rd minute, but they were unable to find an equaliser, with Rothwell then given his marching orders on his debut late on.
Rothwell was given a straight red card for rash tackle on Browne
Rothwell joined United from Rangers on Deadline Day last week after a tough half-season at Ibrox, during which his final appearance for the club came on 2 November.
Chris Wilder introduced him in place of Ollie Arblaster for his Blades debut at half-time against Boro, but he did not see out the game as Ward sent him off in the 80th minute.
Middlesbrough midfielder Browne was advancing down the left flank before Rothwell rushed into a tackle and left him in a heap on the floor.
Replays showed that the challenge was indeed high and reckless, and Wilder’s lack of complaints pointed to the right decision being reached as Boro went on to beat United 2-1.
Hackett offers Rothwell red card verdict – ‘Must be sanctioned’
Rangers fans mocked Rothwell for getting sent off on his Blades debut, and he will now serve a three-game ban to miss games against Portsmouth, Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City.
Former refs chief and FIFA referee Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that referee Ward was right to brandish a red to Rothwell after he endangered Browne and committed a serious offence.
He said: “Sheffield Utd v Middlesbrough. Referee Gavin Ward (was) correct in issuing a straight red card to United’s Rothwell for serious foul play.
“The law states: Serious foul play (is) a tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality, and must be sanctioned as serious foul play.
“Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.“