Former Premier League Chris Foy reviewed Harry Smith’s red card for Swindon Town during the second half against Barrow.
During a mad weekend in League Two, there were six red cards, including two during Town’s game at the SO Legal Stadium, first goalkeeper Paul Farman was dismissed for a deliberate handball outside his area and then Smith saw red for a supposed elbow at a corner.
Sky Sports got Foy to take a look at the decisions in their ‘Behind the Whistle’ segment along with the other key decisions that happened as League Two took centre stage during the international break.
Enjoy a better reading experience with the Adver
— Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) September 4, 2024
As a digital subscriber, you will get:
🔴Fewer adverts
⚪Unlimited access to stories
🔴Reader rewards
⚪Full access to our app and digital edition of the paper
Check out the latest digital subscription sale: https://t.co/Eog5JCvO6r pic.twitter.com/TusaEfkg7c
With Swindon having 11 men against the ten of Barrow in the 65th minute after Rory Feely had tipped Jeff King’s free-kick behind for a corner, as Town prepared to take the set piece, Theo Vassell went down and Smith was sent off.
Foy said of the decision: "This is another correct decision from the referee in this match. He shows Swindon Town's no. 10 a red card for violent conduct.
"The referee and assistant referee do well to spot this action in a crowded penalty area, highlighting the importance of awareness, communication and teamwork.
“Swindon's no. 10 and Barrow's no. 42 are close to each other and the Swindon player swings his elbow, with excessive force, into the face of his opponent, forcing him to the ground.
"The nature of this action is deemed a non-footballing one due to its aggressiveness and it therefore meets the threshold for violent conduct.
“After consultation with his fellow officials, the referee correctly shows a straight red card for the second time in this match."
Foy deemed the incident "violent conduct", which would see Smith handed a three-match suspension to go along with his red card.
Following the game, Mark Kennedy said that he had not spoken to Smith about it yet nor had he seen the incident, although nobody had given him the impression that Town were unfortunate.
He said: “I didn’t see the opportunity but I haven’t spoken to one person on it but, without stating the obvious, nobody has come to me saying ‘It was a terrible decision by the referee, we have been really hard done by.’
“That kind of states the obvious but it is not fair of me to stand here and talk to you about it; I am pretty sure I know what it was and what the outcome will be but I have not seen it.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel