By Nick Ware

10th Apr, 2021 | 2:30pm

Rio Ferdinand slams Liam Cooper over 'Terrible' red card in Leeds v Manchester City

Rio Ferdinand says Liam Cooper deserved his red card after the Leeds United defender was sent off versus Manchester City on Saturday.

The Whites skipper was handed his marching orders just before half-time after a challenge on Gabriel Jesus at the Etihad Stadium, with his initial yellow card upgraded to a red one after VAR raised doubts over referee Andre Marriner’s initial decision.

Speaking at half-time of BT Sport’s match coverage [13:20, 10/04/21] ex-Leeds defender Ferdinand was steadfast in his belief that justice was served.

“When you come off your feet like that you’re out of control to the letter of the law and that’s the reason he’s got the red card, and there’s contact as well,” he said.

“When you put it in slow-motion it looks terrible.”

Where’s the consistency?

In the modern-day, with countless camera shots, we’re not hugely surprised that the red card was issued.

Was it deserved? Probably not, as Cooper won the ball first and it was just his follow-through that cost him.

Marriner had the perfect view in real-time and it was one camera angle that made it look worse than it was.

In years gone by and probably even at the start of Cooper’s career that would likely be deemed a tough but fair challenge.

However, the game has moved on and stricter rules have been enforced and you can’t expect to raise your studs and get away with it.

Even though we might disagree with it that might be acceptable if it was applied across the board.

But just last weekend, in our 2-1 Yorkshire derby victory over Sheffield United, there was a similar incident where George Baldock ploughed through Tyler Roberts and sent him flying up in the air in a heap.

There wasn’t even a review there and barely a mention by pundits, so there is clear inconsistencies in the media and with officials.

In other Leeds United news, pundit launches withering assessment of top-10 side amid Whites comparison.