Manchester United lost 2-1 at Old Trafford and 3-2 on aggregate to Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 knock out tie.
The home side were in cruise control of the match and took the lead in the second half through a Sergio Ramos own goal.
However, in the 56th minute referee Cuynet Cakir dismissed Manchester United’s winger Nani for his high challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa that changed the complexion of the game altogether.
Was that a red card? Both the players were coming for the high ball and Nani wasn’t aware of the presence of Arbeloa and therefore, the high challenge can be considered as an accidental offence and yellow card would have been the right punishment.
On the other hand, an offence is an offence and for that one should deserve the punishment. Former United skipper Roy Keane feels the referee has made the right call, simply because it was a dangerous play, whether he meant it or not is irrelevant.
Bottom line is that the ref was in an impossible position and would have been damned whatever decision he made.
No he wasn’t, the Madrid players and staff were just as shocked by the red card (as can be seen by Mourinho muttering something to Sir Alex), therefore he wasn’t in an impossible decision, it was an easy decision. Why didn’t he send off the goalkeeper for punching Vidic in the face then? that’s dangerous play.
It was as correct as not letting Giggs take the corner in the first leg, or the no call when the Madrid player armed the ball away later in the match. IT WAS GARBAGE. NO WONDER UEFA HAS THE IMAGE OF BEING FIXED! IF UNITED PLAYS IN UEFA NEXT YEAR THEY’RE FOOLS.
Totally. It was a stupidly high tackle with a vicious dig at the back end. Saint Roy Keane had it sussed, as did the ref, why can’t the rest of you?