MX23RW : Friday, September 25 23:14:36| >> :120:39858:39858:

Ryan Edwards backed to escape punishment for challenge on Alfredo Morelos

Ryan Edwards backed to escape punishment for challenge on Alfredo Morelos
© Reuters
Dermot Gallagher does not think Ryan Edwards will face retrospective action.

Dundee United defender Ryan Edwards has been backed by former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher following his challenge on Alfredo Morelos.

Gallagher does not think Edwards will face retrospective action for his challenge on the Rangers striker, who was stretchered off with a gash near his knee.

Edwards won the ball but then caught the Colombia international with his follow-through.

Scottish Football Association compliance officer Clare Whyte has until 3pm on Tuesday to decide whether to issue Edwards with a notice of complaint for the tackle after referee Kevin Clancy played on.

"I think they'll say no," Gallagher told Sky Sports News. "This tackle will split lots and lots of people because many people think it's a red card and a lot of people think it's not.

"I actually don't because Edwards plays the ball first – he gets the ball first.

"It's unfortunate he follows through and catches Morelos across the knee.

"He hasn't gone in with a raised boot, he's followed through and it's a consequence of his tackle.

"I think Morelos goes in to win the ball, he gets there slightly after Edwards and I think it's inevitable there will be a collision and there is a collision and it's unfortunate. But you can't judge every challenge on a physical outcome, you have to judge it on the tackle.

"If someone picks up an injury as a consequence of a challenge it can be accidental and I think this is."

A notice of complaint could be raised if the incident is deemed serious foul play of an "exceptional" variety and was not seen in full by Clancy and his fellow match officials.

An act can be deemed exceptional if the level of force was "very high"; if the challenge was malicious or designed to cause injury; there was a "very high" level of danger; or if the challenge caused a "significant injury".

Morelos is a doubt for Rangers' Europa League second qualifying-round tie against Lincoln Red Imps on Thursday.

ID:414315:

Click here for more stories about Ryan Edwards

Click here for more stories about Dundee United

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard pictured on September 22, 2020
Read Next:
Steven Gerrard insists medical staff are not to blame for Rangers injuries
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers86201721520
2Celtic76102051519
3Hibernian8521135817
4Aberdeen640255012
5Ross County8323711-411
6Dundee UnitedDundee Utd8314613-710
7Kilmarnock8224111108
8Motherwell822468-28
9St Johnstone821549-57
10St Mirren8215512-77
11Hamilton AcademicalHamilton7205512-76
12Livingston8125814-65

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!