It is a fact that the referee eventually gave a foul and a yellow card. Whether the tackle was a foul is opinion.That is why they have referees; to interpret the laws of the game during the game and act according to their opinion.
Majority of people would consider that a foul and a yellow card.
That is possible but it is not a vote or a popularity contest. It is the referees call. He made the call and was persuaded to change it, possibly by the Fourth Official who would have exceeded his brief in doing so.
It was definitely an old school tackle but he went for the ball and got it. His impetus and forward motion meant he collided with the man. It’s a contact sport ffs.
It lists plenty of specific duties and contains the nebulous “assists the referee at all times”. If that were practicable the fourth official would be regularly intervening in the referee’s decisions. The fact that he does not shows that it is not the FA’s intent for that to happen.
Sounds like if the ref asks him for his opinion if he's unsure, but otherwise the fourth official must shut it.
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