Surprising Views on Holgate Tackle: De Zerbi and Sheffield United Player Speak Out
In a recent Premier League match between Sheffield United and Brighton, defender Mason Holgate was shown a red card for a knee-high challenge on Kaoru Mitoma. The decision sparked controversy, with many questioning whether it was the correct call. While talkSPORT’s Perry Groves labeled it as a “leg-breaking” tackle and social media users deemed it one of the worst they had ever seen, there were surprising voices that took a different perspective.
One unexpected opinion came from Brighton’s manager, Roberto De Zerbi. In a conversation with talkSPORT, De Zerbi expressed sympathy for Sheffield United after the sending off drastically changed the game. He stated, “I’m sorry for the red card for Sheffield. I think we deserved to win but maybe we could win 11 against 11. But I’m sorry because one team play one player less. It can happen to us and in the past, it was like this.”
De Zerbi’s compassionate stance raised questions about VAR and his thoughts on the tackle itself. However, he maintained his empathy towards his opponents, saying, “I’ve not seen the red card situation so I don’t know. What I do know is that it’s very difficult when coaches have to speak about the red cards. When I coach the team during the week, I always like to play 11 vs 11, but we can’t change the rules. I don’t know [about the tackle], I’ve not seen the foul yet. I believe in the referee.”
Echoing De Zerbi’s sentiments was Sheffield United captain Anel Ahmedhodzic. Although he stopped short of explicitly stating that Holgate’s challenge wasn’t a red card offense, Ahmedhodzic shared his disappointment with how the game unfolded after the sending off. He told Sky Sports, “It’s a horrible feeling. I think we started the game well and things were going according to the game plan. We created a few chances and then we got the red card and it kills the game and our plan.”
When asked about his opinion on the tackle, Ahmedhodzic replied, “If you asked my opinion, it’s not a red card, and I don’t want to say more. From what I saw on the pitch, I don’t think so. Maybe on the replay, it seems harsher than it is, but on the pitch, I saw that was a fair tackle.”
The divergent views on Mason Holgate’s red card tackle have sparked debate among fans and pundits alike. While some believe it was a dangerous challenge deserving of a red card, others, including Brighton’s manager and Sheffield United’s captain, feel that the decision was harsh and altered the course of the game. With VAR often under scrutiny for its role in such situations, the controversy surrounding this incident serves as a reminder of the subjectivity and complexities involved in refereeing decisions.