Mohamed Diomande controversy: Clement reacts to ‘Incredible’ Rangers footage
Philippe Clement has immediately revealed that Rangers will appeal the red card that was given to Mohamed Diomande in the victory against Dundee United on Sunday.
Rangers secured another three points on 26 January with a 3-1 victory against the Tangerines but it was a second-half incident that caught the headlines.
Diomande received a straight red card for a perceived act of violent conduct and when speaking to Sky Sports Scotland after the game, Clement could not believe it after watching further footage.
“My opinion is that it is not a red card,” he explained. “If that’s a red card, then every game there will be three, four or five red cards.
“[Diomande] gets attacked in that moment and gets pushed and he has a small reaction without even touching the opponent.
“Giving a red card for that is incredible.”
Rangers must appeal Diomande suspension
Given the nature of the red card, it will see Diomande suspended for three games if deemed as violent conduct which was seemingly the reasoning behind the decision.
However, it was a farcical decision from the officials who even after watching a replay, somehow decided it was worthy of a straight red card. An embarrassing decision by all accounts.
Nick Walsh was questionable throughout the clash with many strange decisions but the one to give Diomande his marching orders certainly topped the list.
Once again, it leaves serious questions to be asked about the standard of officiating and even leads to some questioning the integrity of match officials.
It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which the red card isn’t rescinded but given the unwillingness of officials to accept a mistake, there remains every chance the ban is upheld and it would be a huge blow for Clement and the Light Blues.
In other Rangers news, Cyriel Dessers was called out for what he did in the first half of the clash with Dundee United.
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