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Ethan Ampadu deserved red card in Italy clash, retired ref claims

21 Jun 2021 2 minute read
Ethan Ampadu. By Nickb1792 (CC 4.0)

Ethan Ampadu deserved to be shown a red card in Wales’ match against Italy, according to a retired referee.

Former Premier League official Peter Walton was reacting to the young midfielder’s dismissal after a lunge on Federico Bernardeschi during the Euro 2020 encounter in Rome.

Wales lost 1-0 but were still able to progress to the knockout stage of the competition after coming ahead of third-placed Switzerland on goal difference.

According to Walton the red card was warranted because “Ampadu had a straight leg and there was force behind it.”

Peter Walton told The Times: “I saw my fellow former referee Howard Webb after the game and he thought Ethan Ampadu’s stamp on Federico Bernardeschi was a yellow card.

“But the difference between it and other similar challenges that have been punished with a booking is that Ampadu had a straight leg and there was force behind it.

“Uefa said in advance that it’d be tough on that sort of challenge. Once the original decision is made, VAR is not going to overturn a subjective call like that.”

‘Dug in’

After the game Aaron Ramsey said: “We dug in for Ethan, I feel sorry for him. We had each other’s backs out there and we did the job.”

The Italians took the lead after Pessina volleyed in a free-kick from Marco Verratti.

Ampadu’s dismissal meant that Wales had to play a third of the match while down to 10 men. It also means that the player is now suspended.

The team’s automatic qualification to the next round was under threat with Switzerland beating Turkey 3-1 in Group A’s other fixture, but it was able to withstand relentless Italian pressure to ensure its place in the last 16.

Wales will now compete with the runners-up of group B for a place in the quarter-finals.


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Quornby
Quornby
2 years ago

How do you measure “force”? ³

Bruce
Bruce
2 years ago
Reply to  Quornby

in Newtons.

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