Former referees’ chief gives immediate reaction to Daniel Svensson’s red card against Tottenham as Diogo Dalot comparison emerges
Referee Glenn Nyberg was ultimately praised for making the correct call to send off Daniel Svensson during Tottenham’s victory over Borussia Dortmund.
Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett told Football Insider that the Dortmund defender fully deserved a red card after a studs-up challenge on Wilson Odobert. The decision came shortly after controversy surrounding Diogo Dalot escaping a red card against Manchester City, with Michael Dawson noting that although Svensson’s challenge “wasn’t as bad,” it was still always likely to result in a dismissal.
With Thomas Frank under intense pressure at Tottenham, the win on Tuesday, 20 January, was crucial. The Spurs boss would have been relieved to see Dortmund reduced to 10 men, a moment the home side capitalised on quickly. Cristian Romero had already opened the scoring before Dominic Solanke doubled Tottenham’s lead prior to half-time.
Svensson was initially shown a yellow card for the late tackle, but following a swift VAR review, the 23-year-old was sent off, much to the frustration of the away supporters.
Hackett welcomed the outcome, telling Football Insider:
“It’s good to see match officials apply the law correctly. This was serious foul play, and that means a red card.”
Given Hackett’s frequent criticism of referees and VAR in the Premier League this season, he viewed the European officiating as a refreshing contrast. Debate continues around Dalot’s incident, particularly after Howard Webb supported the decision not to send him off, highlighting what some see as a gap in officiating standards between England and Europe.
Michael Dawson, meanwhile, was convinced from the outset that Svensson would be dismissed. Speaking on Sky Sports (20 January, 8:28pm), he explained that while the referee missed it in real time, VAR intervention made the severity clear.
“When you slow it down, it’s a really high challenge,” Dawson said. “He lunges in after losing the ball, and the contact on Wilson Odobert is high up the leg. I said straight away it was a red card.
“He didn’t intend it, but if you endanger an opponent, it’s a red. For me, it wasn’t as bad as Dalot’s, but it still deserved to be one.”
Ultimately, fans are calling for consistency. European competitions are currently providing that clarity, something many believe Premier League officials — and Howard Webb — must aim to replicate, despite recent comments doing little to reassure supporters.