In a recent fiery encounter between the Rangers and Celtic, a controversial red card was shown to Rangers’ John Lundstram after a tackle on Alistair Johnston. The decision by referee Willie Collum, supported by VAR, shifted the game’s momentum, with Celtic leading 2-1 at the time due to a midfielder’s own goal.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) defines serious foul play as any tackle or challenge that jeopardizes an opponent’s safety or employs excessive force. The guidelines specify that lunging at an opponent with excessive force or in a way that endangers their safety constitutes serious foul play.

During the match, on Sky Sports, emotions ran high as pundits shared contrasting views on the red card decision. Kenny Miller expressed disbelief at the dismissal, arguing that not every such tackle should result in a red card, emphasizing the challenge was made in an attempt to win the ball. Conversely, Chris Sutton described the tackle as ‘out of control’.

Amid the debate, Michael Stewart firmly supported the decision, pointing out the excessive force used by John Lundstram in the tackle. On Sportsound, Stewart emphasized the severity of the tackle, highlighting the force with which Lundstram had gone in.

The red card incident has sparked a heated discussion among pundits and fans, showcasing the diverging opinions on the fine line between aggressive play and serious foul play in football.