Willie Collum needs to speak with Scottish referees after Rangers striker Mohamed Diomande’s red card was overturned by the SFA on Tuesday.
Diomande, 23, received a straight red card in Rangers’ 3-1 victory against Dundee United on Sunday (January 26) after colliding with defender Kevin Holt.
Nick Walsh granted the Gers a free kick well outside the box, but it appeared that the referee sent Diomande off for what he perceived to be a harsh act against Holt.
Diomande’s arms were lifted, but there didn’t appear to be much to them other than the midfielder’s body responding to being pushed by the United player.
Even after VAR instructed Walsh to review the event on the pitch-side monitor, he maintained his decision.
SFA expedites Rangers appeal decision
However, the SFA have now confirmed that Diomande’s ban for aggressive conduct has been stricken off the record during a fast-track tribunal hearing on Tuesday (28 January).
Former Premier League and FIFA-listed referee Hackett is pleased to see the correct judgment being made, but he believes Scottish head of referees Collum must act.
“This is the correct decision by the tribunal hearing,” Hackett told Ibrox.
“Referees are human and make errors.”
“It is important for Head of Referees Willie Collum to discuss this with the team of officials to use this incident as a learning experience to ensure similar incidents in a game in the future are dealt with in the appropriate manner.”
Diomande was scheduled to be suspended for Scottish Premiership games against Ross County and Hearts, however he will now be available to Philippe Clement in those games.
