Credit: Getty Images/Imago

Scott Mason

Tue 14 April 2026 7:40, UK

Rio Ferdinand has called out the PGMOL for an explanation over Lisandro Martinez’s red card against Leeds United on Monday evening.

The Whites took a huge step towards survival by securing three points against Manchester United at Old Trafford thanks to a brace from Noah Okafor.

The 2-1 win leaves them six points above the relegation zone, and defender Martinez’s sending off in an incident with Dominic Calvert-Lewin certainly helped Daniel Farke’s side.

In the 56th minute, the Argentine and Leeds striker contested for a header, with the centre-back grabbing a hold of Calvert-Lewin’s ponytail as they jumped.

However, Ferdinand believes there was another contentious moment that went unpunished involving the English forward and has reacted to what may have been a game-defining moment in Leeds versus Manchester United.

What did Rio Ferdinand say about the Lisandro Martinez vs Dominic Calvert-Lewin moment?

Leeds were all over Manchester United in the first half at Old Trafford and may feel unfortunate not to have gone more than 2-0 up.

It was a level of display that looked like it would be smooth sailing for the Whites throughout the 90 minutes.

For large parts, it was, but after Martinez was handed a red card, the tides did slightly shift as the Red Devils looked to get back into the game.

Nonetheless, the Argentine’s hair pull on Calvert-Lewin has been taking up much of the post-match discussion, with Ferdinand now jumping in.

The former England international has compared two moments that he feels were similar during the game, including a duel that occurred before Leeds’ opener.

Calvert-Lewin and Leny Yoro both jumped for a header with the English striker’s elbow raised high.

Taking to X, Ferdinand quoted an image of the two incidents, with the PGMOL tagged, stating: “Explain.”

Why Rio Ferdinand is wrong to complain about Dominic Calvert-Lewin moment

Martinez’s red card may have been soft and slightly harsh, but referees have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hair-pulling.

The two incidents Ferdinand compares are in no way similar, and it seems disingenuous to even remotely compare them.

In the case of Calvert-Lewin against Yoro, the Englishman is contesting an aerial duel with his arm raised. There is minimal contact between the pair, and if anything, they are mutually battling for the ball.

There is no hair-pulling at all, or even a complaint from Yoro himself.

Yes, Martinez may have been harshly punished, but the referee followed the laws of the game on this occasion. If Ferdinand wants to complain, he should seek a change of the rules, not question the referee.