EXCLUSIVE: Lewis Dunk was shown a straight RED card for his dissent towards Anthony Taylor in Brighton’s win over Nottingham Forest – NOT a second yellow – because his language was personally abusive
- Lewis Dunk received a straight red card for personal foul language
- The England defender was sent off in Brighton’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest
- Have you witnessed referee abuse? Contact IAKO@dailymail.co.uk
Brighton’s Lewis Dunk was shown a straight red – and not a second yellow – because his language towards the referee was personally insulting, Mail Sport understands.
It is a sign that match officials are refusing to accept the disrespect shown to them this season, with Anthony Taylor taking a tough approach in Brighton’s 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest in response to Dunk’s foul and offensive language.
Although it has not been revealed what specifically Dunk said, Taylor deemed his aggressive response worthy of an immediate dismissal. This despite the assumption that the Brighton defender received a second yellow card.
It means Dunk will have to serve a three-match suspension instead of missing one match.
Brighton celebrated the win wildly at full-time after holding on for victory despite being down to 10 men.
It has emerged that Lewis Dunk’s dismissal was a straight red card for dissent
Dunk was given his marching orders after abuse directed at referee Anthony Taylor
Mail Sport has launched a campaign to stop the abuse of referees at all levels of the game
Dunk is the first player to be sent off for dissent since Mike Dean showed Lee Cattermole his marching orders in 2011. This is further evidence of the staggering number of cards shown for this offense.
Mail Sport launched our campaign against abuse this week amid concerns it was trickling down to mainstream football, where referees have less protection.
As many as 10,000 referees have left football in the past five years and a spate of embarrassing antics by top managers – be it Mikel Arteta, Mauricio Pochettino, Jurgen Klopp or Marco Silva – has increased the bad examples being set at the top.
The Brighton defender got in the face from fourth official Andy Davies after his dismissal
VAR and controversial calls have been a hot topic this season and have led to referees becoming the subject of unnecessary abuse from players and managers alike.
After Dunk’s dismissal, Morgan Gibbs-White converted the penalty that so infuriated the England captain and gave Forest a lifeline in the match.
The home team had taken the lead through Anthony Elanga, before Evan Ferguson equalized for the visitors.
Goals either side of half-time from Joao Pedro saw the Seagulls eventually claim all three points, despite playing the final quarter of the match with 10 men.