By Dorcas Francis Koji
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has defended the decision to show Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina a yellow card rather than a red during their 1-0 Premier League defeat to Leeds United on Saturday.
Aina found himself at the centre of controversy in the 18th minute after catching James Justin with his trailing leg following a challenge for the ball.
The incident was initially reviewed after a VAR intervention, raising the possibility that the Super Eagles defender could be sent off. However, the officials ultimately decided that the challenge did not meet the threshold for serious foul play and maintained the yellow card.
Dean agreed with the decision, arguing that Aina’s low body position and the nature of the contact did not justify a dismissal.
“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,” Dean said after the match.
The decision became one of the major talking points from Oliver Glasner’s first competitive match in charge of Nottingham Forest.
Aina, who started the game in an unfamiliar right wing-back position, otherwise produced an impressive individual display despite Forest suffering defeat on home soil.
The Nigerian international created three chances, the joint-highest figure in the match, while also completing a game-high three successful dribbles before being replaced in the 74th minute.
Forest were eventually punished late in the contest when Anton Stach produced a stunning free-kick to secure victory for Leeds at the City Ground.
Despite the disappointing result, Aina’s performance offered encouragement as Forest continue to adapt to life under Glasner, who was appointed during the summer following the departure of Vitor Pereira.
The 29-year-old will have another opportunity to face Leeds when the two sides meet again in the EFL Cup second round in midweek.
Forest will then turn their attention back to the Premier League, with Liverpool set to visit the City Ground in their second league fixture of the campaign.
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