Gary Neville gave his clear red card verdict after Antoine Semenyo had a heated clash with Diogo Dalot
Neville Breaks Down the Semenyo Dalot Moment
**Manchester United**’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth had one flashpoint that split opinion fast. Antoine Semenyo and Diogo Dalot went up for an aerial ball, both fighting hard for position. The contact looked messy in real time and Old Trafford held its breath. Semenyo came down awkwardly, tempers flared, and the referee stepped in.
Yellow cards were shown to both players, but many fans expected more. Gary Neville, commenting on Sky Sports, explained why a red card was never the right call.
Neville said: “I can see why Semenyo’s snapped. Dalot bumped him while he’s in the air – it’s a bit naughty.
“He’s (Semenyo) gone for his (Dalot) neck but he just pulled back. Two yellow cards is the right decision.”
What mattered most, according to Neville, was control. Semenyo’s arm went up toward Dalot’s neck, but he pulled back before things crossed the line. That single detail changed everything. In Neville’s view, the lack of real force and intent meant the officials handled it properly. Two yellow cards, no more, no less.
Why VAR And Referee Got It Right?
The referee, backed by VAR, judged the clash on balance rather than emotion. Neville praised that calm approach. He stressed that football is fast and physical, especially during aerial duels. Not every angry reaction deserves a red card, even if it looks ugly at first glance.
Neville’s verdict was firm. The officials protected the game by punishing both players without ruining the contest. Man Utd stayed focused on their push for wins, while Bournemouth avoided losing a key player. For Neville, that outcome showed good refereeing under pressure.
Author’s Opinion:
Neville’s take makes sense. The moment was heated, but football needs calm decisions, not emotional ones.
As featured on ManUNews.com