Crystal Palace star Axel Disasi guilty of 'malice' vs Ipswich Town - ex-PGMOL chief
Axel Disasi was rightly sent off for a challenge that involved "malice" as Crystal Palace were beaten 3-2 by Ipswich Town on Saturday.
That is the opinion of former head of PGMOL and FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The Eagles struggled with 10 men, with a late goal from Zian Flemming handing them a third Premier League defeat of the season.
But the Frenchman has got off to a woeful start at Selhurst Park, and will now serve a three-match suspension.
Pierre Sage's side have Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Brighton approaching in the Premier League, and will need to find a temporary solution.
Axel Disasi used 'excessive force'
Disasi had already been caught out by Ipswich's equaliser, failing to track Emersonn's run and left holding his hand up for offside as the net bulged.
But he would make the situation far worse just 10 minutes later, when he left his studs up as he attempted to challenge Jack Clarke.
There was not massive impact but the Frenchman was very late and very high, and subsequently shown a straight red card by Chris Kavanagh.
"That is a reckless challenges which endangers the safety of his opponent," Hackett told Football Insider.
"The player has used excessive force with disregard to his opponent. I can also determine a degree of malice. Red card is the correct decision."
Crystal Palace nightmare continues
Many tipped Palace to struggle this season, and they have failed to prove anyone wrong in that verdict.
Pierre Sage would have hoped that the visit of newly-promoted Ipswich would have provided an opportunity to get back on track, but Disasi's mistake proved fatal.
The Eagles now face a three-match run without him, and continue to look in serious danger of a battle against the drop this season.
While the fight-back from the likes of Jorgen Strand Larsen and Anan Khalaili on Saturday will be encouraging, there is clearly plenty of work to be done.