Diogo Jota should not have been sent off in Liverpool’s controversial 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, according to the Premier League’s Independent Key Match Incidents Panel.
The Portugal forward was the second Liverpool player to be sent off in the eventual defeat after Curtis Jones was dismissed in the first half for a dangerous challenge on Yves Bissouma.
Jota was introduced as a half-time substitute for the injured Cody Gakpo, but was given his marching orders when he was twice booked for fouls on Destiny Udogie in the 68th and 69th minutes.
Though replays showed his clipping of Udogie for the first booking was accidental and a little harsh, there seemed to be an acceptance that his reckless lunge on the Italian was deserving of a second yellow card.
However, ESPN report that the Premier League’s Independent Key Match Panel ruled Jota’s second tackle was not worthy of a booking and he should have remained on the pitch.
The panel is made up of five members including former players or coaches plus one representative from the Premier League and PGMOL. In this instance, they voted 3-2 in favour of Jota.
Despite the findings, Jota will serve a one-match suspension as red cards for two bookable offences cannot be appealed, while the panel can only provide their opinion on incidents and not official rulings.
Though they decreed Jota should not have been sent off, the panel believe that Jones’ foul on Bissouma was indeed worthy of a red card.
Much of the post-match conversation from Liverpool‘s defeat at Spurs has centred on Luis Diaz’s wrongly disallowed opening goal shortly after Jones’ dismissal.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp revealed on Wednesday that he believed it would be fair for the match to be replayed, but such an outcome would be unprecedented and is highly improbable.
READ MORE ON THE FALLOUT AND CONTROVERSY FROM TOTTENHAM 2-1 LIVERPOOL
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