Robert Baloucoune can consider himself a very lucky man after escaping a red card in the opening minute of his side's Pro14 clash with Munster.
With Ulster kicking off, the winger charged forward and completely took out Darren Sweetnam in the air as the Munster man claimed the ball.
"I've seen red cards for less - by the letter of the law he should be gone." Eddie O'Sullivan says Ulster winger Robert Baloucoune was lucky not to get a red card for his early challenge on Darren Sweetnam. #GuinnessPro14#ULSvMUNpic.twitter.com/UCzfe1cnfp
— eir Sport (@eirSport) December 21, 2018
On co-comms former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan stated that Baloucoune should have seen his marching orders for the foul:
It's a red card lads, I'm afraid. There was no pull out. He went in and made a tackle in the air, by the letter of the law that's a red card.
Baloucoune only received a yellow for the incident, but many online were annoyed that the academy winger was not punished further for the dangerous play:
Eddie OSullivan saying Baloucoune was lucky not to get a red but he's happy that he wasn't sent off as it wold ruin the game. What a load of BS, I wasn't aware of a directive whereby red cards and foul play could only be punished at selected times? #ULSvMUN
— Sporting Limerick (@SportingLK) December 21, 2018
Jesus that's a terrible piece of play by Robert Baloucoune. If that happens any time in the game other than the very first play, the ref shows a red.
— kevin (@KevBeirne) December 21, 2018
Baloucoune very, very lucky. That was a red card in my opinion. #ULSvMUN
— Shona Sulli (@_shorty88_) December 21, 2018
Baloucoune got away with one no doubt.
— Brian Rafferty (@BCRafferty) December 21, 2018
Refs lol #ULSvMUN
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) December 21, 2018
