Ex-refs chief slams 'clear and obvious error' in Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest

Issa Diop should have been shown a straight red card for taking down James McAtee in the second half of Ipswich Town's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Friday.

That is the opinion of former head of PGMOL and FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The challenge came with the scores tied, and saw the Ipswich defender arrive late as the midfielder looked to burst into the penalty box.

Bizarrely, referee Thomas Bramall initially did not even blow his whistle until he was sent to the monitor by VAR for a possible denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO).

Upon reviewing the footage, the referee awarded a free-kick and a yellow card, declaring that McAtee had knocked the ball to the right side of the goal.

Under-fire manager Oliver Glasner criticised the decision but it has prompted plenty of debate, with many agreeing with Bramall's conclusion.

Ex-PGMOL chief clear on James McAtee decision

While Diop was indisputably the last man and was nowhere near the ball when he slide tackled McAtee, there is debate over whether the chance was a goal-scoring one.

The midfielder does have Leif Davis hot on his tail and does take a heavy touch to the right side of the box, but some would argue that the touch is provoked by the incoming tackle.

"It is a nonsense to declare that the ball was going away from goal. When the player was fouled DOGSO had been fulfilled and a red card should have been the outcome," Hackett told Football Insider.

"A reminder of the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity law. The following must be considered: Distance between the offence and the goal, general direction of the play, likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball and the location and number of defenders and attackers.

"All the boxes are ticked and that is why VAR intervened, satisfied that a red card should have been applied and that the referee, Bramall, had made a clear and obvious error."

What did Oliver Glasner say about the decision?

With Glasner's job on the line, he has particular reason to be incensed by Friday's decision.

"I think it was a red card,” the Austrian said after the game. "On the other side, I think we couldn't have played a more dominant second half than we did. But I think it was a red card, yes.

"When you run straight to the goal and you have the ball between your legs, it's very difficult to get a finish. We're telling our players that sometimes you need to create an angle and go half right, half left because then it makes the finish easier and also the goalkeeper has to move.

"Then you have the near and the far post open or one corner open. I think Macca prepared the finish already because on the left side it was Diop. That's why he needed to go there. But again, the referee decided it that way and we have to accept it."