'This should be outlawed' - Ex-refs chief re-analyses Leeds vs Nottingham Forest controversy
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was fortunate not to be sent off during Leeds United's narrow win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referee Rob Jones clearly had an "element of doubt" over the striker's challenge.
The first-half on Saturday, 22 August, could have seen two players sent off, as Ola Aina's yellow-card challenge on James Justin was checked by VAR.
Forest's No.34 was already lucky not to be given his marching orders in the 18th minute, and the same could certainly be said 14 minutes later for Calvert-Lewin.
Daniel Farke's centre-forward remained on the pitch, though, and Whites stole all three points away from home thanks to a late Anton Stach free-kick.
Calvert-Lewin has only been shown one red card during his professional career, dating back to 2024 against Crystal Palace, but it was ultimately overturned.
'They will outlaw this type of challenge'
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett was hugely unhappy with the challenge, while arguing that it was a "borderline" red card.
"These are challenges I don't like. Referees have got to set an example, but I think there's a degree of leniency that takes place in those opening games of the season," he said.
"Referees are rather reluctant to pull a red card out. I think as the season progresses, if referees are doing their job, they will outlaw this type of challenge.
"What saved him, frankly, is there's a lack of excessive force. It's reckless and therefore yellow, and I think there's that element of doubt in the referee's mind.
"In a way, he's not out of control, he's not off the ground, and he's not flying in with two feet or one foot forward.
"Therefore, I think he's right the referee's got it right in terms of 'reckless' but sometimes, I feel that the referees have a duty to educate as well as apply the law.
"A yellow card should come out and then I think the referee should speak to the player and say, 'Look, it's borderline reckless, it could be a red card'."
How Ethan Ampadu can help Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Ethan Ampadu is now being called upon to keep his teammates on the right side of the law, using his role as captain to influence the challenges.
"For me, the referee's got it right. It's yellow, but I think a word of warning to the player would be useful," Hackett told Football Insider.
"His captain could say, 'Look, be mindful of these out-of-control challenges'. The player now needs a bit of operational advice. Don't make that type of challenge."
Farke should also have a word with Calvert-Lewin to avoid any controversy in the future, though he did only pick up three yellow cards in the league last term.