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.
X / @RedAlexCreweThimothee Lo-Tutala saw a header from his own defender looping over his head[/caption]
X / @RedAlexCreweHe pushed the ball away acrobatically with his hand while outside the area[/caption]
X / @RedAlexCreweThe red card has been rescinded as it was deemed he did not deny an obvious goalscoring opportunity[/caption]
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.
Yet fans on X simply could not get their heads around the decision to scrap the red card.
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One said: “This is the most blatant red card you’ll ever see. How on earth has it been overturned?!”
Another added: “Wtf how? Bro stopped the ball from going towards the goal from outside the box ahahhaha.”
A third replied: “The most blatant red card this season overturned. No punishment for denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity.”
And a fourth responded: “How an earth has this been overturned. You don’t need VAR to see that is outside the area.”
Doncaster go to Crewe on Monday, before hosting the return leg on Friday, May 10.
The winner will face Crawley or MK Dons at Wembley on May 19 for a place in League One next season.
RexLo-Tutala could play in Doncaster’s play-off semi-final first leg against Crewe on Monday[/caption]