MX23RW : Thursday, November 28 05:50:25| >> :600:514743:514743:

Ryan Edwards backed to escape punishment for challenge on Alfredo Morelos

Ryan Edwards backed to escape punishment for challenge on Alfredo Morelos
© Reuters
Dermot Gallagher does not think Ryan Edwards will face retrospective action.

Dundee United defender Ryan Edwards has been backed by former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher following his challenge on Alfredo Morelos.

Gallagher does not think Edwards will face retrospective action for his challenge on the Rangers striker, who was stretchered off with a gash near his knee.

Edwards won the ball but then caught the Colombia international with his follow-through.

Scottish Football Association compliance officer Clare Whyte has until 3pm on Tuesday to decide whether to issue Edwards with a notice of complaint for the tackle after referee Kevin Clancy played on.

"I think they'll say no," Gallagher told Sky Sports News. "This tackle will split lots and lots of people because many people think it's a red card and a lot of people think it's not.

"I actually don't because Edwards plays the ball first – he gets the ball first.

"It's unfortunate he follows through and catches Morelos across the knee.

"He hasn't gone in with a raised boot, he's followed through and it's a consequence of his tackle.

"I think Morelos goes in to win the ball, he gets there slightly after Edwards and I think it's inevitable there will be a collision and there is a collision and it's unfortunate. But you can't judge every challenge on a physical outcome, you have to judge it on the tackle.

"If someone picks up an injury as a consequence of a challenge it can be accidental and I think this is."

A notice of complaint could be raised if the incident is deemed serious foul play of an "exceptional" variety and was not seen in full by Clancy and his fellow match officials.

An act can be deemed exceptional if the level of force was "very high"; if the challenge was malicious or designed to cause injury; there was a "very high" level of danger; or if the challenge caused a "significant injury".

Morelos is a doubt for Rangers' Europa League second qualifying-round tie against Lincoln Red Imps on Thursday.

ID:414315: cacheID:414315:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3605:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard pictured on September 22, 2020
Read Next:
Steven Gerrard insists medical staff are not to blame for Rangers injuries
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1211103543134
2Aberdeen13102128151332
3RangersRangers12723179823
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd135531914520
5Motherwell126151616019
6St Mirren145361923-418
7Dundee134362225-315
8Ross County143651222-1015
9St Johnstone144191727-1013
10Kilmarnock133371526-1112
11Hearts142391524-99
12Hibernian141671525-109


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!