Barclaycard Premiership referee Dermot Gallagher will be relegated to the Nationwide Football League as punishment for not sending off Robbie Keane on Saturday, the Football Association has confirmed.
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Keane: Shoved Beckham to floor
(MikeHewitt/Allsport) |
The Leeds United striker reacted to David Beckham's stern tackle by
flooring the Manchester United midfielder with a two-handed push
during the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Oxfordshire official Gallagher only booked Keane and will now be
hauled in to face FA referees' manager Philip Don. He will then be
told the length of his suspension from the top flight.
An FA statement condemned Gallagher for not brandishing the red card when Keane pushed Beckham to the ground just yards in front of him.
Gallagher now faces a grilling from Don before the Select Group
Referees - a committee of officials - decide how long his exile from
the Premiership will last.
The FA statement read: 'It is disappointing that Dermot Gallagher
did not correctly interpret the situation involving David Beckham and
Robbie Keane in Saturday's game between Manchester United and Leeds
United.
'Dermot Gallagher will be required to discuss this incident with
the Select Group Referees manager (Philip Don).
'He (Gallagher) will not be offered appointments for a period to
be determined by the Select Group members, on behalf of the
Professional Game Match Officials Board (a group that represents the
FA, Premier League and Football League).'
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