Pedro was shown a straight red card during the Community Shield meeting between Chelsea and Arsenal for a challenge labelled ‘shocking’ by Chris Sutton.
In the 80th minute the Chelsea forward caught the heel of Mohamed Elneny.
Referee Robert Madley took his time to make a decision but when it came it was a shock to most to see the red card brandished.
Pedro looked puzzled, as did Antonio Conte – a feeling only made worse when Arsenal equalised just a moment after play restarted. The Chelsea manager was seen complaining to the officials.
However former Chelsea striker Sutton said the dismissal was fully deserved.
‘I can see why the red card was pulled out. He was endangering an opponent. It is a shocking challenge,’ he said.
Mark Lawrenson, his fellow BBC analyst, agreed.
‘He has caught him on the back of the leg and his studs are raised – I can understand how he has got a red card. It was a little bit of a forward’s challenge.’
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Former referee Mark Clattenburg said the tackles was ‘dangerous’.
‘I’ve looked at many replays. He’s caught him with his studs on the back of the Achilles heel. It’s a dangerous type of challenge which could certainly make a bad injury,’ he told BT Sport.
However he added that a yellow card would have been enough.
‘I can understand why it’s a red card but in the context of the game it could easily be a yellow card,’ said the Euro 2016 official.
Whilst the decision was a disappointment for Chelsea, they can console themselves that it doesn’t carry into the Premier League.
Arsenal went on to win the Community Shield on penalties.
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