Credit; Imago, Sky Sports

Josh Edwards

Mon 13 April 2026 10:12, UK

Dermot Gallagher saw no reason for Brian Brobbey to be sent off against Tottenham Hotspur.

Aside from the fact that it greatly increased Spurs’ chances of relegation, Sunday’s clash at the Stadium of Light left supporters increasingly frustrated, and mainly with the officiating.

Tottenham supporters were adamant that Brobbey should have been sent off, not once, but twice, for fouls on Pedro Porro and Cristian Romero.

The first incident saw Porro go down holding his face after the Spaniard was battling with the Dutchman, with the second incident resulting in what looked to be a serious injury for Romero.

Romero’s World Cup dreams may be over as a result, but Gallagher believes that Rob Jones made the right call on both occasions.

What did Dermot Gallagher say about Pedro Porro controversy?

The first incident that sparked frustration was in regard to Porro, when the Spaniard was, admittedly, pulling back on Brobbey, before the Sunderland striker attempted to push him off the ball, and appeared to catch his face.

Porro went straight to the ground, and Jones awarded the free kick, but only punished Brobbey with a yellow card.

Having reviewed the footage via Ref Watch, Gallagher believes that Jones made the right decision to ignore Tottenham’s calls for a red card.

Gallagher said: “Brobbey is trying to use his strength. It’s not like he’s a yard away.” 

Cristian Romero may have played his last game for Tottenham

The second incident was the one that forced Romero off the pitch, and in tears at that.

The Argentine was looking to shield the ball back to Antonin Kinsky, who also took the full force of the blow, after Brobbey barged into the back of Romero, resulting in a collision.

Having already been cautioned, Spurs were again adamant that Brobbey should have been off, but again, Gallagher disagreed.

He said: “We have to be careful we don’t get seduced by the outcome – the injury. If the goalkeeper’s not there, a little nudge, are you going to send him off for a second yellow card? The answer is most certainly no. 

“The goalkeeper comes out, and a collision occurs. That changes everyone’s perspective, but it wasn’t a serious foul.”

However, one thing to note strongly is that neither of the incidents warranted the abhorrent racial abuse that Brobbey suffered via social media after the game.

Sunderland were quick to condemn the discrimination in a statement released on X, and rightfully so.