Newcastle United drew 1-1 against Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.
Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has told Sky Sports that he believes Newcastle United midfielder Mo Diame should have been sent off during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Swansea City.
The Toon failed to earn all three points despite having home advantage over Carlos Carvalhal’s side at St. James’ Park, as they went behind in the first half to a Jordan Ayew strike.
However, Spaniard Joselu equalised less than 10 minutes later after coming off the bench to score four minutes into his substitute appearance – just his fourth goal in black and white stripes since his summer move from Stoke City.
However, Gallagher believes Diame should have been sent off after handling the ball in the penalty area during the first half, a decision which referee Graham Scott overlooked.
“Wrong decision, handball, penalty and red card,” Gallagher said.
“In fairness to the referee, if you look at every angle you do not think that is a handball. You do not know if it has hit him on the chest. I think it is a penalty and if he gave a penalty, then it is a red card because the ball is going in.”
Diame, 28, has been a mainstay of Newcastle’s side in recent matches despite starting the season way down the pecking order behind Mikel Merino, Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey.
The Senegal international has 18 months remaining on his contract, which the Daily Star claims is worth £45,000 a week, but is expected to remain on the Toon until the end of the January transfer window.
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