‘He’s very, very unlucky’: Lee Dixon baffled after Switzerland midfielder Remo Freuler is sent off by Michael Oliver in Euro 2020 quarter-final against Spain
Lee Dixon has reacted with incredulity after Switzerland midfielder Remo Freuler was controversially sent off in his side’s Euro 2020 quarter-final against Spain.
Freuler was shown a straight red card by English referee Michael Oliver after a sliding tackle on Spain forward Gerard Moreno.
And Dixon, working as a co-commentator for ITV, declared his bafflement that the challenge warranted an instant dismissal.
Switzerland’s Remo Freuler (above) was sent off for this tackle on Gerard Moreno (second left)
The central midfielder appeared to catch Spain forward Moreno with his trailing left leg
And Atalanta’s Freuler was shown a straight red card by English referee Michael Oliver (above)
Dixon said: ‘That’s not a red card for me, he’s very very unlucky.’
However, former Premier League referee Peter Walton responded: ‘The force behind the tackle there has played into Michael Oliver’s hand. You can see there his feet are above the ground so is he in control of his body?
Freuler reacted with confusion, and co-commentator Lee Dixon called him ‘very, very unlucky’
‘Is he endangering the safety of an opponent? In my opinion, he is. VAR will obviously check this of course but I think Michael Oliver is spot on with his red card.’
Replays seemed to show Freuler got his right foot on the ball, diverting it away from Moreno, then subsequently caught Moreno with his trailing left leg in what appeared a firm but fair tackle.