Premier League fans astonished at Mason Holgate's reaction to 'one of worst tackles ever'
Sheffield United defender Mason Holgate was sent off against Brighton following "one of the worst tackles ever" seen in the Premier League - but his innocent reaction also caught the eye
Mason Holgate may have a future in criminal law judging by his attempts to defend the indefensible.
And while the Sheffield United defender's red card dismissal against Brighton may not qualify as a crime, his attempt to feign innocence might just qualify. The 27-year-old - who's on loan at Bramall Lane from Everton - was shown a straight red card following a VAR review after chopping down Kaoru Mitoma in brutal fashion just 10 minutes into Sunday's clash.
If the tackle itself wasn't enough to raise alarm, some fans were horrified to see the Doncaster native actually attempt to get out of his punishment. He shrugged his shoulders, stretched his arms wide in scene right out of the butter-wouldn't-melt manual, not that it managed to bear much fruit.
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"I’m gonna give the ref the benefit of the doubt because his view is obscured in real time, but Holgate having this reaction is criminal," laughed one viewer. "He needs to sit out the rest of the season."
Another spectator ironically commented: "I do like Holgate’s reaction. Standing there arms outstretched saying I didn’t do anything."
What should be the length of Mason Holgate's ban for his tackle against Brighton? Let us know in the comments section below.
Others replied with their shock that referee Stuart Attwell had somehow only given a yellow card for the challenge initially. It was only upgraded to red following a review, not that a second look was required to know Holgate had to go.
The Blades went on to lose 5-0 at home after Simon Adingra notched twice to go along with finishes from Danny Welbeck, Facundo Buonanotte and a Jack Robinson own-goal. Chris Wilder's side remain stranded seven points adrift of Premier League safety and have now conceded 10 more than any other team in England's top flight this term.
And it looks as though that plight won't be aided much by Holgate in the foreseeable future as he's now set to sit out at least three games while suspended. And it just so happens Sheffield United's upcoming slate against Wolves, Arsenal, Bournemouth and Manchester United (in that order) looks particularly daunting.