‘Dangerous’ – clash live on BBC over Rangers controversy.
Michael Stewart was left outraged by Bobby Madden’s interpretation of the incident between Rangers and Motherwell which left Ross McCausland injured.
The BBC Sport analyst challenged the perspective of a former SPFL referee on SportsSound, aired on 9 March, during a discussion about VAR. The topic centered around Dan Casey‘s challenge at Ibrox on 2 March, a play that wasn’t deemed a foul but resulted in the substitution of the Gers winger, who left the field on crutches. Madden argued that it constituted a red card offense by the Motherwell defender due to the speed and endangerment to McCausland‘s safety. Stewart, expressing frustration, contended that Madden seemed determined to eliminate all risk from the game, transforming it into something unfamiliar to football enthusiasts.
Stewart responded, expressing surprise at Madden’s viewpoint, noting that he hadn’t heard anyone else share that perspective. He sympathized with John Lundstram’s situation and acknowledged the awarded penalty but sided with Bobby on the matter.
Debate Over Casey’s Challenge: Madden Advocates Red Card, Stewart Disagrees
Madden, after watching the incident multiple times, revealed his internal debate between a yellow and red card. Ultimately, he settled on a red card for serious foul play, emphasizing the perilous speed at which the challenge was executed.
As Stewart visibly reacted in disagreement, Madden argued that playing the ball was not an excuse and entering a challenge at such pace constituted endangering safety. Stewart countered by suggesting Madden was advocating for football to become a non-contact sport and questioned what else Dan Casey could have done.
Madden, undeterred, pointed out the perceived unnatural movement of Casey’s foot during the challenge, deeming it a dangerous act that warranted a red card. Stewart contested that Ross McCausland’s injury was a result of his own apprehension, emphasizing the inherent risk in football and arguing that eliminating all risk would alter the essence of the game.
Stewart acknowledged the possibility of a foul and perhaps a yellow card but argued against a red card, stating that Casey had few alternatives given the circumstances. Madden conceded the challenge’s divisive nature, recognizing the difficulty in finding a middle ground between those who saw it as either a non-foul or a red card-worthy offense.
Controversy Surrounds Ross McCausland’s Injury in Motherwell’s Victory Over Rangers
Philippe Clement expressed dissatisfaction over his young winger being forcefully removed from the pitch after the 2-1 defeat. The frustration was likely heightened by Casey scoring the decisive goal.
While some analysts argued that it was a reckless challenge, others insisted there was nothing wrong with the tackle, attributing it to the physical nature of play in Scotland. This situation highlights the challenges officials face in trying to satisfy everyone.
Officials sometimes make decisions that baffle nearly everyone, contributing to the difficulty of their role. Even Madden and Stewart conceded that their stance was not absolute, as Madden wavered between card options and Stewart could be swayed towards issuing a booking. Ross McCausland suffered an injury in the tackle and had to be substituted during the Rangers defeat.
If McCausland had not been injured, the incident might have been overlooked. However, his injury suggests that Casey may have put his opponent at risk. While not every injury warrants punishment, Casey’s aggressive approach, once lauded but now considered out of control, raises concerns.
Fortunately, McCausland seems to have avoided serious injury, as he returned as a substitute in the 2-2 draw against Benfica. The home loss in the league was a frustrating experience overall for the team, with the Light Blues performing below par. Had the incident been penalized, they might have secured at least a point in the match.
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