Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande. (Credit: Imago)
Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande. (Credit: Imago)

Sky Sports reveal SFA decision on Rangers appeal against Diomande red

Jonathan Burnett

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

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Rangers have won their appeal against Mohamed Diomande's controversial red card at Dundee United, according to Sky Sports Scotland.

Sky Sports posted on X (28 January) to report that Diomande's red card for allegedly slapping Kevin Holt has been rescinded, meaning the Ivorian midfielder won't now face a retrospective ban.

Diomande was shown the straight red card in stoppage time of the Gers' 3-1 win at Tannadice on Sunday despite a lengthy deliberation by both on-field referee Nick Walsh and his assistants in the VAR bunker.

Sky's post on X included a video clip of the full incident which saw Diomande move his arm towards Holt's face as he tried to re-gain his balance, with the eventual red card decision labelled as "diabolical".

Justice done for Mohamed Diomande after Rangers controversy

In the age of cameras picking up every angle of every blade of grass on any given football pitch, and VAR thrown into the mix for good measure, it's still staggering that Diomande was shown a straight red.

The Ivorian had been one of the Light Blues' best performers in the match itself, equalising for the visitors following Sam Dalby's early opener and being a constant threat from midfield.

The prospect of losing Diomande for at least three matches – and potentially more if a violent conduct charge was raised – would have been a huge blow for the Gers, particularly given their current options.

Connor Barron was the first of several players to be withdrawn injured in the Bears' 2-1 Europa League defeat at Old Trafford, leaving Philippe Clement short of numbers in the crucual deep-lying midfield role.

Having Diomande still in the fold on his current form is a huge positive for Clement and his side in their upcoming matches, but it's still bizarre that it took an appeal to ensure he didn't receive a ban.

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