OTHER Killian Sardella's red card is causing quite a stir. Among the Purple & Whites, incomprehension prevails. But for former referee Serge Gumienny, now an analyst for Het Nieuwsblad, the decision is indisputable. A reaction that has been labeled “aggressive.”
The disputed incident occurred after a tense duel with Smith. Sardella, visibly irritated, thrusts his head toward his opponent. According to Gumienny, it was not a violent headbutt, but rather a clearly aggressive movement, comparable to an act of retaliation. And under the current interpretation of the rules, this type of behavior must be sanctioned with a direct red card.
According to Gumienny, the VAR's intervention was entirely justified: the footage shows behavior that goes beyond the scope of the duel and falls under the definition of an act of violence. At Anderlecht, they believe the sanction is disproportionate and that Sardella never intended to strike. But the refereeing analysis points in the other direction: it is sufficient that the movement is clearly aggressive.
However, there is no mention whatsoever of Burgess's shove a little later.
Source: © Internal source
