Ex-referee reacts to controversial Cardiff City flashpoint v Leeds United | OneFootball

Former referee Keith Hackett has given his view on Cardiff City's Joel Bagan's controversial red card on Saturday.

Leeds United secured a 2-0 victory versus a Cardiff City side who started this campaign horrifically, and their problems worsened after Joel Bagan was controversially sent off in this encounter.

Leeds claimed a hard-fought victory after a first goal from Largie Ramazani and a tight finish in the 86th minute from Joel Piroe helped Daniel Farke's side with the three points.

The win was crucial for Farke's men and his own future, following their disappointing 1-0 defeat at Elland Road to Burnley. Meanwhile, Erol Bulut's suspected sacking became a reality after confirmation of the Turk's departure from Cardiff on Sunday.

There was another key talking point in Leeds' victory which set Cardiff up for failure from the start. Joel Bagan received his marching orders 23 minutes in after denying a goal-scoring opportunity.

With how the challenge happened, Cardiff fans believe Bagan was wrongly sent off after referee Josh Smith wrongly applied the law to Bagan's foul.

Bagan, has endured a difficult start since his return to the South-Wales outfit following a loan in Belgium, and this red card wouldn't have made the Cardiff academy graduate's life any easier.

Cardiff were reduced after the Irish left-back fouled Wilfried Gnonto outside the Bluebirds' box and, despite the Italian getting back to his feet, he was immediately pulled back again in the box but referee, Smith, came back to the initial foul, and decided it was a goal-scoring opportunity.

The next thing Bagan saw was a red card and the Bluebirds were on course for yet another disappointing day at the office.

"I have had a look at the red card.

"One direction of play towards goal? Yes; Probability of controlling the ball? Yes; Was it a foul? Yes.

"The DOGSO (direct obstruction of a goal-scoring opportunity) law fulfilled and the sanction correct –he applied the law."

All the facts point to a red card, and in Bagan's case, he didn't put up much of a fight to stay on the pitch, probably knowing it was the right decision.

But was it harsh on Cardiff?

Bagan's red card was harsh and could've changed the outcome of the game

In a vital match against Leeds for Bulut's future, this early red card cemented his exit at Cardiff. Hackett claims the referee ticked all the boxes, but was it truly under the law of the game?

According to Footballrules.com, If the referee plays advantage following a red-card offence that denies the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO), a yellow card is shown instead of a red card, as the advantage allowed the attack to continue.

So, by going off this statement, could Cardiff potentially lodge an appeal in what was a peculiar situation early on in the game.

The result can't be changed now, and it takes another hit on Cardiff's abysmal start to the season.

A harsh reality for Bagan, and if the defender only received a yellow, maybe Bulut's side would have seen a different outcome not only in the game, but also in the Turkish manager's future.