[romanesq]

One can disagree on a close call but IMHO no ref should give a direct red card on a play where the player gets to the ball on the play.

If there was no contact with the ball, no complaints. But if you get the ball and tackle from the side, no red card is defensible.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

[Youngblood]

One can disagree on a close call but IMHO no ref should give a direct red card on a play where the player gets to the ball on the play. If there was no contact with the ball, no complaints. But if you get the ball and tackle from the side, no red card is defensible.

I agree. If the player wins the ball first and hits the player second, its a fair tackle, unless some other rule like tackle height is broken. That's not how I saw the first US player's straight red though. He caught the Italian player above the ankle in a two-footed, studs-showing tackle. You're not allowed to dive in with two feet and with studs up. I also don't remember him making contact with the ball, but maybe I missed that.

[thehumanlynx]

If there was no contact with the ball, no complaints. But if you get the ball and tackle from the side, no red card is defensible.

you are correct sir