Joleon Lescott and Dion Dublin speak out on Wolves red card controversy

Football pundits have been queuing up to defend Raul Jimenez following his controversial red card in Wolves’ chaotic defeat to Leeds United on Friday.

With Wolves 2-0 up eight minutes into the second half, the striker received a second yellow after colliding with Leeds keeper Illan Meslier. It proved to be a key moment as the visitors went on to win 3-2 in dramatic fashion, lifting their survival hopes and denting Wolves’ ambitions of securing European football.

Aside from referee Kevin Friend and Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch, who called Jimenez’s challenge “reckless”, few figures in the game believe the Mexican should have been dismissed.

Speaking on Saturday’s edition of Match of the Day, former Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin said: “For me, that’s a throw-in, nothing else, it’s not a yellow, it’s nothing at all. It’s two lads coming together, both trying to win the ball. [There’s] physical contact, football is physical game. That is a throw-in, play on.”

Fellow pundit Match of the Day pundit Stephen Warnock agreed, saying: “It’s just don’t think it’s a foul, it’s one of those things.”

Former Wolves defender Joleon Lescott has also given his take on the incident. He said, via Soccerholic : "I initially thought it was a red card, to be honest. But when I saw it on the replay, I didn't think it was. I didn't think he could get out of the way.

"He hasn't gone to hurt him and doesn't make much contact with the goalkeeper. So, I was surprised it was given. Yes, there is small contact, and it looks a painful one for both players, but there is no maliciousness there or intent to stop the 'keeper from clearing it. It was a surprising outcome, for me.

"I think the referee made up his mind early. It was out of his