A few Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media after BBC journalist Adam Pope shared that the red card shown to Gaetano Berardi at Millwall will remain on his record, despite the resulting ban being overturned.
Berardi was initially sent off at The Den in the 14th minute when referee James Linington deemed the Swiss centre-half to have denied Tom Bradshaw a clear goalscoring opportunity, while also awarding a penalty.
Replays of the incident showed that minimal contact, if any, was made, and a later appeal by Leeds was successful in overturning the suspension Berardi was set to serve.
Documents detailing the written reasons for the ban being overturned are said to have gone as close as possible to accusing Bradshaw of diving to win the spot-kick, according to The Athletic, although the forward was never penalised for his role in the incident.
The Football Association’s fair play table also continues to show Berardi as having a red card against his name, and Pope has added that it will remain on the 31-year-old’s and the club’s record as being sent off.
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Here are some of the reactions shared to Pope’s update on Berardi and the red card shown at Millwall…
Makes sense…….
— Andy Whiting (@andywhiting72) November 14, 2019
What a load of nonsense.
— David Taylor (@TaylorDee93) November 14, 2019
Did this mean that if he gets another straight red he’d get a longer punishment? 4 games if say it was a reckless tackle?
— Austin (@AustinLDN86) November 14, 2019
So, to summarise – the referee is always right, even when he is proven to be wrong. Acting otherwise may hurt the referee’s feelings and is, therefore, banned.
— Julian Peace (@JulianPeace1) November 14, 2019
I suppose the facts of the match will always say Berardi was sent off and Millwall were awarded a penalty, in that sense it should stay on record. So long as it’s not considered in the event of future cards/disciplinary points in whatever way they actually matter
— Phil Braithwaite (@PhilLUFC) November 14, 2019
What an absolute shambles of an organisation
— Adam Cater (@cater_adam) November 14, 2019