'Saved him': Ex-PL refs rule on Forest vs Leeds red calls
Former Premier League referees Dermot Gallagher, Mike Dean and Mark Clattenburg agreed yellow cards—not reds—were correct for two controversial challenges in Nottingham Forest's 1-0 defeat to Leeds. On James Justin, Ola Aina's low lunge survived VAR because experts said it lacked force for dismissal. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was only "saved" because his high challenge missed James McAtee. Referee Rob Jones kept control of a tense City Ground opener that Leeds won through Anton Stach's late free-kick on Saturday.
Key Takeaways
- Ola Aina received a yellow card in the 18th minute after lunging at James Justin; VAR reviewed but upheld the on-pitch decision.
- Dermot Gallagher, Mike Dean and Mark Clattenburg all said the tackle was reckless but not serious foul play.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin was booked after 32 minutes for a high challenge on James McAtee that made no contact.
- Gallagher said Calvert-Lewin would have been sent off had he connected, calling the near-miss what "saved him."
- Forest lost 1-0 in Oliver Glasner's first competitive game in charge, with Stach's late free-kick deciding the match.
Why did VAR review Ola Aina's challenge on James Justin?
The flashpoint came early in the first half when Forest full-back Ola Aina lost control of the ball under pressure from Anton Stach. As James Justin raced in to win possession, Aina lunged into the challenge and caught the Leeds defender with his trailing leg after missing the ball.
Referee Rob Jones initially showed a yellow card, but a VAR check inside the stadium raised the possibility of a red. Officials ultimately agreed the challenge was reckless rather than serious foul play and left Aina on the pitch, as reported by Punch Newspapers.
Former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg told Nottingham Forest News that Aina's studs stayed low and he did not catch Justin above the ankle. "It lacks speed, force and malice," Clattenburg said, explaining why the decision remained a yellow and not a red.
Was Dominic Calvert-Lewin lucky to avoid a red card?
Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin was shown a yellow card after 32 minutes following a coming together with James McAtee. His leading foot was at shin height and extended in a straight-leg motion, but he made no contact with the Forest player.
On Sky Sports' Ref Watch, ex-Premier League official Dermot Gallagher was blunt: "Just as well he didn't get him. That's what saved him." Gallagher added that without a doubt, had Calvert-Lewin connected, he would have received a red card.
Former striker Jay Bothroyd noted Calvert-Lewin is not typically a player who leaves something on an opponent, but warned that serious contact could have caused a serious injury. "That's a leg-breaker," Bothroyd said. "If he hits him on the shin, that's a serious injury because Dominic's leg is straight as well."
What did ex-Premier League referees say about both incidents?
The refereeing consensus on Aina's tackle aligned across multiple former top-flight officials. Gallagher told the Yorkshire Evening Post that Aina was low, did not catch Justin with his studs, and made contact with the shin instead. "It's not a clever tackle, but it's not serious foul play," Gallagher said.
Mike Dean agreed, telling Punch: "I think because he is low, he has missed the ball completely and his back leg has just caught the other guy. I don't think it is a sending off." Bothroyd conceded that had Jones shown a red, he would not have argued for a downgrade to yellow.
Refereeing body Pro Ref has emphasised sticking with on-pitch decisions where possible, and both flashpoints became major talking points from a tight 1-0 result. For more analysis of high-stakes disputes and contested verdicts, see our True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries coverage hub.
What happens next for Forest and Leeds?
Aina otherwise impressed in a new right wing-back role under Oliver Glasner, creating three chances and recording three successful dribbles before his 74th-minute substitution. Because he avoided dismissal, he remains available for Forest's next three Premier League fixtures, including a rematch with Leeds in the EFL Cup midweek.
Forest host Liverpool in their second league game, while Leeds carry momentum from Stach's stunning set-piece winner into the cup tie at the City Ground.