Ref Watch: England leveller should stand and Wales penalty correct, says Dermot Gallagher

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Dermot Gallagher believes England were unlucky not to earn a point at Wembley against Spain

Dermot Gallagher is back with a special international edition of Ref Watch, and believes England were unlucky against Spain.

England were denied a late leveller in their UEFA Nations League opener against Spain at Wembley on Saturday, while Wales feel they were hard done by as Ethan Ampadu was penalised for a handball inside the area.

Former Premier League referee Gallagher looks at this and much more in this week’s edition of Ref Watch…

England 1-2 Spain

Incident: Danny Welbeck’s stoppage-time leveller is ruled out for a foul on David De Gea; the Spain goalkeeper fell down on top of Welbeck as he came down from collecting the ball.

Dermot’s verdict: “I think the guy behind the goal has disallowed it; I think he thinks De Gea was pushed, and that Welbeck leans into the goalkeeper.

“I think it’s really harsh. I think he’s entitled to go and De Gea gets the ball. But the expectation when you see a goalkeeper go down like that is: ‘Free-kick to the goalkeeper’. I thought it was a good goal.”

Incident: John Stones is booked for a last-gasp tackle on Iago Aspas. Stones gets some of the ball, was the last man, but the referee Danny Makkelie only gives a yellow.

Dermot’s verdict: “I think if you’re going to make a mistake, like the referee has done here, it’s the best mistake to make. It’s not a foul, definitely not a foul, and he gives him a yellow card. That’s wrong too: if it’s a foul, it’s a red card too. If you’re going to make a mistake, at least he’s watered it down with a yellow.”

Denmark 2-0 Wales

Incident: Wales’ Ethan Ampadu is penalised for a handball in the box as he blocks a cross. Christian Eriksen scores from the spot.

3:23 Denmark 2-0 Wales

Dermot’s verdict: “In the World Cup you saw penalty after penalty given when the player puts his hand out. I just think it has progressed from there; I think the international refs have this notion that if you put your arm out, they’re going to give a penalty. In terms of distance away from the cross, it’s about the speed of the ball.”