Fulham's Dikgacoi was sent off on his Premier League debut
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said he had sympathy for Kagisho Dikgacoi after he was sent off for violent conduct during their 2-2 draw with West Ham.
The South African midfielder, 24, who was making his league debut, clashed with Scott Parker before half-time.
But Hodgson said: "I didn't see any signs of violent conduct - to call it handbags would be exaggerating it.
"The player and referee, who had to send him off for raising his hand, have my sympathy. He didn't deserve it."
Dikgacoi and Parker collided in the 42nd minute after the West Ham midfielder had laid the ball off and, after what looked at first glance to be a minor skirmish, referee Phil Dowd appeared to show both players a yellow card.
Hodgson proud of Fulham performance
Television replays showed Dikgacoi raising his hand to Parker's face and after further consultation with his assistant referee, Dowd showed Dikgacoi a red card.
"The referees are under such enormous instruction, so he has my sympathy," Hodgson added.
"But they should be given more leeway to look at each situation individually.
"I come from a generation where violent conduct is violent.
"I have a problem getting my head around two players nose-to-nose and one of them sent off for violent conduct. I have a problem with that."
Hodgson also revealed that he had a conversation with Parker as the two walked down the tunnel at half-time.
"I was irate and I made my feelings known to Scott," said Hodgson.
"He conducted himself well though and he thought it was a sending off, so we agreed to differ on the matter."
Fulham, who were trailing 1-0 at the time, responded magnificently after the break, scoring two quick goals to take the lead.
But their hopes of clinching a memorable victory were dashed in injury time when Junior Stanislas' shot deflected off Aaron Hughes to leave Cottagers keeper Mark Schwarzer stranded.
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