Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenberg has backed the decision to show Lautaro Martinez a yellow card instead of red for his tackle on Andy Robertson during Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Inter Milan
Mark Clattenburg believes referee Felix Zwayer got it spot on when he chose NOT to brandish a red card at Lautaro Martinez for his late challenge on Andy Robertson during Liverpool’s visit to Inter Milan.
In the 13th minute, Robertson hit the deck after a reckless tackle from Martinez. The Inter striker tried to win the ball but instead caught the Liverpool left-back, who got there first and went crashing to the deck.
Some demanded Martinez be sent off with a red card, but Zwayer decided to caution the Argentina international instead. VAR reviewed the incident but backed the referee’s original decision and didn’t step in.
Giving his opinion on the tackle, former Premier League referee Clattenberg commented on Amazon Prime Video’s coverage of the match: “It would have been a different type of challenge if he had went in with his studs.
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“He tries to pull away by pulling his legs away and that’s why he hits him with his knee even though it still injures the player. But I think it would have been a different colour, it could have been a red card if he had went in with his studs but I agree with a yellow card for this type of challenge.”
Alan Shearer added: “He goes in early, he makes his mind up early what he is doing but he does actually tuck his legs in and go in with his shins rather than his studs. Still, it’s a nasty challenge though.”
Liverpool, sans the absent Mohamed Salah, kicked off brightly at San Siro. Indeed, Arne Slot’s team controlled the first half hour, creating several scoring opportunities.
Despite missing a few chances, the Reds believed they had broken the deadlock in the 31st minute when Ibrahima Konate poked the ball into the net from close range following Ekitike’s initial contact.
However, upon reviewing the incident, referee Zwayer decided to disallow the goal, judging that Ekitike had handled the ball during the build-up.
“It’s an interesting one, because as the player is jumping, his arm does come out for elevation,” Clattenburg commented. “It will just be the argument ‘was this a deliberate handball’ or not, because that handball does go to a team-mate so it gets rid of the argument that he scores the goal direct from the accidental handball.
“So it will only be ‘is this arm in a natural position for jumping when the ball hits the arm’. What you do see is a slight movement of the arm toward the ball and I think this could end up being disallowed because of that movement of that arm going toward the ball makes the ball go toward his team mate to score the goal.”
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