A former top official has defended the referee's decision not to send off Aberdeen FC midfielder Afeez Aremu during Sunday's narrow 1-0 defeat to Rangers. Keith Hackett, the ex-PGMOL chief and FIFA referee, told reporters he believes match official Matthew MacDermid got the crucial call right despite the challenge's severity.
Aremu's sliding tackle on Rangers' Cameron Devlin in the second half sparked immediate controversy at Ibrox. The Aberdeen player's foot made heavy contact high on Devlin's leg, prompting loud appeals for a red card from the home support. MacDermid, positioned close to the incident, showed a yellow card, a decision that was checked and upheld by the VAR team.
What did the referee expert say?
Keith Hackett provided a detailed breakdown of the incident after reviewing the footage. He acknowledged the challenge was late and high, admitting his first impression was that it warranted a dismissal. "When I first saw it, I thought that's red," Hackett said. However, he pointed to the referee's on-field view and the subsequent VAR review as key factors.
The former official stressed that slow-motion replays can make challenges appear worse. He concluded that the absence of malicious intent was the defining element. "What you need to see in a red card is real malice, and I don't think there was any malice," Hackett explained. He added that while the boot being high off the ground is a signal for a potential red, the subjective judgment of the match officials ultimately saved Aremu.
How does this affect Aberdeen's discipline record?
The decision keeps Aremu available for Aberdeen's upcoming fixtures, which is a significant boost for manager Derek McInnes. The Dons have shown a more disciplined side this season compared to previous campaigns. You can track the team's disciplinary stats and other key metrics on our dedicated stats page.
This single yellow card means Aremu is not facing an automatic suspension. The squad's overall fitness and availability can be monitored via our injuries section, which is updated regularly. Maintaining a full-strength midfield will be important as Aberdeen looks to climb the Premiership table from their current position, which you can view on the standings page.
What's next for Aberdeen after the Rangers loss?
The focus now shifts to a critical run of domestic matches. The 1-0 loss at Ibrox, decided by a single second-half goal, leaves Aberdeen seeking a swift response. Their next assignment is a home match against Motherwell this coming Saturday.
Following that, the fixture list presents a mix of challenges and opportunities to gather points. A strong performance in these games is essential for building momentum before the next round of fixtures against the league's top sides. The full schedule for the remainder of the month is available on our fixtures list.
Aberdeen's squad, including key players like captain Graeme Shinnie and striker Bojan Miovski, will be tasked with turning performances into results. The team travels to face St Johnstone the following weekend, aiming to secure their first away win of the league campaign. Their next home game after Motherwell is against Hibernian on September 27th.
