Controversial Red Card! Debate Erupts After St Johnstone’s Ibrox Clash with Rangers

The rain was pouring at Ibrox on Saturday, and Rangers were cruising, but one moment in the second half still set the football world arguing. With the score at 3-0, St Johnstone forward Kai Fotheringham was sent off in the 74th minute for a challenge on Nicolas Raskin. (Yahoo Sports)

What made it so divisive was how the decision arrived. Referee Chris Graham didn’t initially think the tackle deserved a red card, but VAR Andrew Dallas stepped in, and after another look Graham pulled out the red. Fotheringham was clearly unhappy, and he protested his innocence before and after leaving the pitch. (Yahoo Sports)

Supporters will be split because the tackle contains both sides of the argument. Fotheringham clearly got the ball first, but he then caught Raskin around the shins in the follow-through. Ex-referee Keith Hackett saw little room for doubt, arguing that the official had no choice but to show the card. Others will say a player who wins the ball shouldn’t be walking. (Yahoo Sports)

St Johnstone’s manager, to his credit, didn’t turn it into a crusade. Simo Valakari accepted the red card after the 4-0 defeat. He pointed out that the game was already beyond reach, so it didn’t change the result, but he admitted the consequences sting. Fotheringham now serves a two-game ban, with his earliest return the Dundee match on November 7, so he misses the midweek trip to Motherwell. (Sky Sports) (thecourier)

For Rangers, it was a comfortable afternoon. Kevin Kelsy, Ryan Naderi and Tochi Chukwuani got the goals. For St Johnstone, the real damage is the loss of a player who had been effective for them, and that’s the lasting cost of a decision fans will keep debating all week. (Yahoo Sports)