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In a recent Premier League clash, Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon found himself at the center of controversy following a free-kick awarded for a supposed foul by Everton’s Ashley Young. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher expressed his dismay at the decision, suggesting the free-kick was unjustly given. Gallagher, who appeared on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, criticized the call and shared his hopes that the free-kick would not result in a goal for Newcastle.
Dermot Gallagher said: “I don’t think it is a foul at all. I think Anthony Gordon knows exactly what he is doing. Ashley Young makes no attempt to bring him down. But it is not a foul at all. It should not have been a free kick. When I was watching it I was thinking the last thing we need here is for them to score from this free-kick and fortunately they didn’t.”
The incident occurred late in the first half when Gordon went to the ground in what Gallagher described as a dramatic fashion. Referee Tony Harrington’s decision to award a foul led to an angry reaction from Young, who felt wronged by the call. Gallagher’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about diving in football and the challenges referees face in distinguishing between genuine fouls and simulation.
Stephen Warnock said: “You have got to eradicate it in some way. You have got to work out what is a dive and what isn’t a dive. We go back to understanding body language. I know Ash moans quite a lot about decisions but this one is so clear and obvious that Anthony Gordon has dived it is beyond me how the referee hasn’t seen that.”
Stephen Warnock, a former Liverpool player, echoed Gallagher’s sentiments and emphasized the need for clearer guidelines to identify diving. Warnock pointed out the importance of understanding players’ body language to make accurate decisions. The incident has reignited discussions on the effectiveness of current measures to combat simulation in the game.
The match saw Gordon being substituted at half-time for Joe Willock, but the controversy surrounding the free-kick decision remains a talking point. As Everton prepares to bid farewell to Goodison Park, the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in officiating and the need for continuous improvements in the sport.
