Lisandro Martinez was sent off for Manchester United in the 2-1 defeat to Leeds United on Monday night, with former referee Dermot Gallagher explaining the decision
Kieran Horn
11:37, 14 Apr 2026
Lisandro Martinez was shown a red card for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair in Leeds United's win against Manchester United
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Lisandro Martinez was shown a red card for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair in Leeds United's win against Manchester United(Image: (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has outlined why Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez had no grounds for complaint after his dismissal against Leeds United. The Argentine was shown a red card for pulling the hair of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and he is now set to miss United's next three matches.
Football law clearly states that any such offence is classified as violent conduct and therefore carries a three-match ban. On that basis, and given the specifics of Martinez's actions during the incident, Gallagher has explained why neither the player nor the club can have any grievances with the final decision.
Speaking to talkSPORT on Monday evening, he said: "I think the one with tonight, you may argue that you don't like the law, you don't like the rule, but the referee is hamstrung isn't he?
"Once you see what he's done...we have seen it this season already with Michael Keane, we saw it last season with Jack Stephens on (Marc) Cucurella. Once somebody grabs a hair, they are just going to get sent off after it is picked up.
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"The one thing I would say, you can't blame the referee for this can you? He is hamstrung with what is put in front of him.
"It was interesting when you look at it again because Martinez seems to grab, misses it and then grabs again and I don't think that helps his cause because once you start grabbing twice, it sows that seed of doubt...'hang on, he really means to do this'.
"You don't (want to be put in that position to give a straight red) but once you see it you cannot unsee it. That is what I would say, he doesn't grab once, he grabs twice and I think that is the key issue."
Lisandro Martinez walks off the pitch after receiving a red card
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Lisandro Martinez was baffled by the decision to send him off (Image: Getty Images)
Michael Carrick's side were already two goals down at the time of the sending off, and though Casemiro pulled one back with 20 minutes to go, they could not find an equaliser. Much of the post-match debate focused on the contentious decision to dismiss Martinez, with many calling for the rules to be amended.
Calvert-Lewin was specifically asked by Sky Sports whether or not he felt it was the right decision to send Martinez off.
He said: "I don't know, I don't make the rules. I felt my hair get pulled and obviously I told the ref, he's the one that makes the decisions, at the end of the day.
"Unfortunate for him [Martinez], whether he's meant it or not, I don't hold no grudges, but it is what it is."
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