Spain defeat 10 man Switzerland on penalties to secure their place in the semi-finals.
One of the major talking points was Remo Freuler’s red card which many felt was a harsh decision and left the Swiss fighting for dear life to hold back the barrage of Spanish attacks.
Freuler had a heavy touch on the ball, losing control of it, so with desperate determination he threw himself at the ball to make up for his mistake, but caught Gerard Moreno on his way.
Some defended him saying there was nothing he could do to stop himself, while others felt that when you leave the ground in a tackle you’re always in danger of receiving a red.
Former Manchester United captain, Roy Keane, had a bit of a reputation of hard tackles and red cards.
“I would always try and defend the players, but I just think, he’s off his feet, he’s kind of out of control, and I think it’s the right decision.
“I like the physical side of the game, but I think it’s the correct decision.
“Most red cards come from a bad first touch, you’re chasing the ball, you’re out of control and you’re desperate.
Mandatory Credit: Gary M Prior /Allsport“Every time you make a tackle, you’re endangering your opponent anyway, but he was always off the ground – it was dangerous.”
Joining Keane in the ITV studio was former Manchester City and Holland midfielder, Nigel De Jong, and Liverpool legend, Graeme Souness.
As De Jong correctly pointed out: “All three of us love a tackle” but they were unanimous in their opinion of the red card being the correct call.
Keane being Keane, couldn’t help himself and threw a little dig to his fellow pundits to get the last word in.
“Obviously these lads were sent off a lot more than me, but any time I did get sent off, I was always felt, did I give the referee a chance to send me off?
“If the answer is yes then I can’t complain.”
Seeing as the Irishman is the most sent-off player in Manchester United’s history, we’re not sure he’s correct with that statement, but of course, he knew that.
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