Originally Posted by
Frodo
In your world, any attacker can go and run into a defenders boot and get them sent off. That's not true, therefore this isn't a cut and dry red card. Considering large portions of the internet, past and present players as well as pundits all disagree with you shows that it definitely wasn't a definite red card offence.
He's an Italian ref and Serie A is horrible nowadays with refs constantly trying to find any reason to award a penalty or red card throughout their games. It's a major issue with fans over there, so by the next world cup I wouldn't be surprised if this same ref wouldn't stick with his initial decision.