Rangers legend Derek Johnstone has criticised the officials from Wednesday night’s League Cup quarter-final between Livingston and Rangers, in his Glasgow Evening Times column.
Gers midfielder was left needing 20 stitches in a head wound after being struck by Ricki Lamie’s elbow 20 minutes into the clash.
Both players had their eyes on the ball during the incident, but Steven Gerrard has been at pains to assert it was still dangerous play and worthy of a red card [Scottish Sun].
Johnstone concurs.
“I don’t think Lamie went out to seriously injure Joe the other night, but it was a dangerous, dangerous challenge to go up and lead with his elbow, and with that force,” wrote Johnstone in the Glasgow Evening Times. “But, somehow, it wasn’t even a booking.”
“I couldn’t believe that. You can’t throw yourself into an aerial duel like that, catch someone in the face as seriously as that and not pick up at least a yellow card for it. That is not acceptable.”
“I would hope that the officials, having watched it back now, would admit that they got it badly wrong but that is no consolation to Joe.”
Verdict
There’s a general consensus that there was no actual malice in the challenge from Lamie’s end. The player was trying to get to the ball first and used his arm and elbow as leverage as well as a protective shield.
Yet, Johnstone is right in that it’s outrageous the Livi defender received no punishment.
There are very few times a player is left with blood literally pouring from his head on a football pitch and when that does occur, there’s a good chance their safety has been endangered by an opponent.
Joe Aribo now faces several matches out as his deep cut heals and Gerrard will hope the absence doesn’t cost his side points.
The last thing anyone wants is for football to become a sanitised, non-contact sport. However, there’s something wrong if players are landing elbows – unintentional or otherwise – and escaping punishment.
