Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi was forced off through injury in the Hoops’ 6-0 win over Aberdeen on Sunday. It was a nasty challenge from Aberdeen defender Slobodan Rubezic that caused the Japanese internationalist to be withdrawn.

At the time, the centre half was given a yellow card, although many were of the opinion it should have been red. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher doesn’t think so, though. He said (Sky Sports): “I don’t think it’s a red card at all. It’s unfortunate because it’s a clash of heads that forces Kyogo off. I certainly don’t think it’s a red card, not at all.”

Kyogo
Soccer Football – Champions League – Group E – Atletico Madrid v Celtic – Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain – November 7, 2023 Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Juan Medina

Gallagher was defiant in his stance. It is hard to argue with someone who has refereed at the very top, although one of the criteria for a red card is if a player endangers the safety of an opponent.

Rubezic’s on Kyogo undoubtedly did this because the 28-year-old was knocked unconscious. Nevertheless, the on-field decision remained true and the Montenegrin international wasn’t reprimanded for the forceful challenge.

3 COMMENTS

  1. If he was in a blue jersey you can be sure the Aberdeen players feet wouldn’t have touched the ground the red card would have been out before the wee man hit the ground

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