Nottingham Forest handed definitive red card verdict after VAR controversy

The decision not to send off Issa Diop during Nottingham Forest’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town has been backed by the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel.

Reds head coach Oliver Glasner felt the Tractor Boys defender should have been sent off early in the second half of last month’s stalemate at Portman Road. Diop had brought down James McAtee as the Forest ace raced goalwards in the 47th minute, at a time when the scores were level.

In the event, Bramall merely booked Diop and awarded a free-kick in the visitors’ favour. He argued a touch by McAtee was taking him away from a shooting position as he knocked the ball “to the right side of the goal”.

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One of the considerations when weighing up a possible DOGSO is the location and number of defenders, with the covering position of Ipswich’s Leif Davis a factor on this occasion. The distance between the offence and the goal, general direction of the play and likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball should also be taken into account.

Announcing his decision not to give Diop his marching orders, Bramall had said at the time: “After review, there is a foul by Ipswich No.6. However, because the player knocks it to the right side of the goal, the final decision is direct free-kick and a yellow card to No.6.”

Forest boss Glasner had approved of the process undertaken by the officials. However, he disagreed with the final verdict.

“I think it was a red card,” he said after the game in Suffolk. “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.

The Reds had to settle for a point against Ipswich after Neco Williams’ early strike was cancelled out by Julio Enciso. Ahead of this Saturday’s clash with Manchester City at the City Ground (5.30pm kick-off), Glasner’s men are 19th in the table and have gone five games without a win.

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