Derby Red Card Debate: Shearer and Rooney Push Back on Dalot's Non-Red
18 January 2026
Derby Red Card Debate
Man United legend Alan Shearer voiced fury over the decision not to send Diogo Dalot off for a late, dangerous challenge on Jeremi Douko in the Manchester derby.
The Portuguese defender had already picked up a yellow after 11 minutes for a late tackle on a City winger.
According to The Mirror, the on-field referee and the video assistant referees judged the contact as not worthy of a red, opting for only a caution.
Premier League authorities defended the ruling, saying the touch was light and not excessively forceful.
Shearer argued that the red card should have been the only outcome and called the decision a clear mistake.
Asked if Dalot deserved a red, he answered that there is no doubt and described the tackle as direct, high, and dangerous.
Rooney, the former United forward, agreed with the assessment, saying the replay shows a red card that is obvious, and that it is worrying that VAR did not flag it.
When questioned about the Premier League’s explanation, Shearer said there is no chance anyone could be convinced by it, insisting the tackle was dangerous.
Punchline: If that counts as surface contact, then perhaps we should all start playing in low gravity.
Punchline 2: Maybe VAR needs glasses; the red card was crystal clear to many viewers.
