Man Utd fans fume ‘what sport’s he trying to play? as Baleba avoids red for ‘clotheslining’ Joshua Zirkzee for penalty
Share:
Sponsored by. MANCHESTER UNITED fans fumed after Carlos Baleba avoided a sending off at Old Trafford. Brighton were leading United thanks to Yankuba Minteh's opener on five minutes. But a mistake at the back cost the visitor's and Joshua Zirkzee was through on goal.
![[A Brighton player leaps over a Manchester United player during a soccer game.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/challenges-manchester-uniteds-joshua-zirkzee-964969372.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
That was until Baleba dragged him to the ground - allowing Bruno Fernandes to level from the spot on 23 minutes. Denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) carries different punishments. A deliberate handball or foul, such as holding, pulling, or pushing, inside the box will result in a penalty kick to the opposition and a red card to the offender.
![[Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion fouls a Manchester United player during a Premier League match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/carlos-baleba-brighton-hove-albion-964972465.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A non-deliberate handball or foul - if the offence was an attempt to play the ball or challenge for the ball - will result in a penalty kick to the opposition and a yellow card to the offender. Midfielder Baleba was shown yellow - but United fans online felt he was let off lightly.
One said: "Shouldn't that be a red card for Baleba being last man and not making a play for the ball? What's the rule now?". Another fumed: "That’s a wrestling move from Baleba on Zirkzee.". One raged: "What sport is Baleba trying to play here?". Another said: "The more I watch this, how is that not a red card?.
