1. Fans gobsmacked as EFL overturn ‘most blatant red card you’ll ever see’ just in time for club’s playoff run

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May 2, 2024

1. Fans gobsmacked as EFL overturn ‘most blatant red card you’ll ever see’ just in time for club’s playoff run

EFL

ASTONISHED football fans have taken to social media following the decision to overturn Doncaster keeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala’s red card in time for the play-offs.

Grant McCann’s men clinched a spot in the League Two play-offs with a 12-game unbeaten streak at the end of the season.

Thimothee Lo-Tutala saw a header from his own defender looping over his headCredit: X / @RedAlexCrewe

He pushed the ball away acrobatically with his hand while outside the areaCredit: X / @RedAlexCrewe

The red card has been rescinded as it was deemed he did not deny an obvious goalscoring opportunityCredit: X / @RedAlexCrewe

But on the final day things threatened to go awry for them when Lo-Tutala handled outside the area when they led 2-0 away at Gillingham.

Fortunately for Donny, after conceding twice they managed to hold on for a 2-2 draw and will now face Crewe in the play-off semi-finals.

And they have been handed yet more positive news as Lo-Tutala’s dismissal has been overturned, meaning he is eligible for the first leg on Monday.

The incident in question saw a defensive mix-up lead to the keeper clearly parrying the ball away while several yards outside of his area.

At the time, it looked an obvious red card, but the law dictates that a keeper only be sent off when denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

The IFAB rules state: “A direct free kick is awarded and: a yellow card is shown if a promising attack was stopped, or. a red card is shown if a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity was denied.”

As there were three covering Doncaster defenders, it was not a goalscoring opportunity for Gillingham, meaning Lo-Tutala was incorrectly sent packing.