Andy Moran is being accused of an alleged barge of Maurice Deegan on Sunday.
The Mayo player was black-carded after the incident, presumably for ‘remonstrating with a match official’ but both the referee and footballer of the year touched hands after he was issued off.
The infraction has seen a number of GAA fans return to the Diarmuid Connolly offence against Carlow last summer when the Dublin player pushed the linesman and was subsequently hit with a 12-week ban because of it.
On League Sunday last night however, Pat Spillane said that the black card was the correct decision.
“Andy Moran behaves aggressively towards the official,” Spillane said in his analysis of the event. “If you behave aggressively towards an official, it’s a black card.”
The commentary of the incident did differ though. As Moran ran towards Maurice Deegan after being punished for fouling the ball on the ground, the League Sunday commentary said that he barged into the official.
“Then he just barges, ever so slightly – but nevertheless, barges – into the referee.”
The camera shot isn’t the most conclusive but Moran’s chest appears to make contact with Deegan’s and the ref seems to be forced to take a step back.
If that is the case, he should be punished with more than just a black card – it should’ve been a straight red on the day but, perhaps more pertinently – and this is where Dublin fans in particular are pointing out inconsistencies, he could be brought before a disciplinary hearing.
If this is what you call minor physical interference, then Moran could also be hit with a 12-week ban.
‘To interfere with a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official – minor physical interference e.g. laying a hand on, pushing, pulling or jostling.’
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