Regardless of intent to cause injury, it’s undeniable that Seb Larsson’s foul against Manchester United was very reckless.
These are the type of scenarios where legs get broken. Ireland fans will remember a similar foul by Neil Taylor on Seamus Coleman that had a far worse result not that long ago. Fortunately for Ander Herrera, he emerged from this foul unscathed.
The 50/50 ball fell just between the Spaniard and the Swede, but Larsson’s momentum forced him to commit to winning the ball.
Unable to stop himself, Larsson went in off his feet. His studs were up and high as he took aim for the ball, but missed the mark.
The good news is the tackle missed everything, with Herrera just about able to get his leg out of the danger zone in the nick of time.
However, the referee didn’t hesitate. He felt that the foul was deserving of a sending off, and flashed the red card to end Larsson’s night early.
It was a dangerous foul, but the sending off split a lot of people.
Some thought the booking was justified, others felt it was a tad harsh to send Larsson off. Gary Lineker firmly fell into the latter camp.
Never a red card for Larsson in a million years.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 9, 2017
Unsurprisingly, a lot of fans chimed in to disagree with the Match of the Day pundit’s view of the foul.
@GaryLineker Just because Herrera’s leg didn’t snap doesn’t mean it’s not a red card.
— Privilege Makuvire (@privilege_mufc) April 9, 2017
@GaryLineker Gary his studs were nearly knee high and could have broken Herrera’s leg. Is it cause he didn’t do serious injury you think it wasn’t a red?
— Keith Russell (@Keith_Russell) April 9, 2017
@GaryLineker It was a red card today, incorrect Gary.
— Alex (@Alex_is_Sanchez) April 9, 2017
@GaryLineker Would be if it was Rojo though right?
— Steven (@StevenCutsforth) April 9, 2017
@GaryLineker Jesus, utter rubbish. Better contact and that could break Herrera’s leg. Studs showing and high. It’s a clear red.
— Darragh B O’ Donovan (@Dazzmondo95) April 9, 2017
@GaryLineker Difference between making contact or no contact. Would have broken a leg on another day.
— Angaddeep Singh (@Angad_Red) April 9, 2017
