The laws of the game Nick Walsh used to conclude upon his decision to send off Mohamed Diomande in Rangers' win over Dundee United can be revealed.
The referee sparked controversy at Tannadice this afternoon when he stuck by his original call to flash a red card at the midfielder, despite VAR's advice to review the flashpoint at the pitchside monitor.
Diomande reacted by raising his hand in the direction of United's Kevin Holt after the defender pushed him in the dying moments of Rangers' 3-1 victory in Dundee.
It's understood Walsh felt that Diomande took a deliberate swing at Holt, with a source at the Scottish FA suggesting the referee felt the contact was NOT negligible.
Under Law 12 of IFAB's rules, the section reads: "In addition, a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible."
Philippe Clement commented in his post-match interview: "I saw it back now, as I knew this question was coming.
"I totally don't understand it. We're going to appeal it as a club.
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"The VAR was clearly also of that opinion or otherwise they don't ask the referee to come over to the screen.
"My opinion is that it is totally not a red card. If that's a red card then every game there will be three, four or five red cards.
"My player got attacked in that moment when he got pushed.
"He had a small reaction with his hand without even touching the opponent.
"The maximum both could have is yellow. Giving a red card for that, that's incredible."
Kris Boyd was also left baffled by the call when speaking in the Sky Sports studio.
He said: "It's embarrassing. I think sometimes when they go to the monitor they can be too stubborn - sometimes they've just got to admit they got it wrong, as Nick Walsh should've.
"There is no excessive force, there is no brutality and if I was Rangers I would have my appeal in right now.
"I think it's a little bit inconclusive even if he slaps him."
