Here’s a Red Card That Should Definitely Be Overturned

By: Daryl | September 18th, 2008

John Terry’s overturned red card might be controversial, but here’s one from Celtic’s 0-0 draw with Aalborg that definitely needs reviewing.

If you go to the 1:45 mark of this video (via 101GG) you’ll see Celtic’s Georgios Samaras nearly break clear of Aalborg’s defence only to be tripped by Aalborg #2 Michael Jakobsen. Definitely a red card, right? Referee Matteo Trefoloni thought so too, but showed the card to #4 Michael Beauchamp who was understandably unhappy. To his credit Beauchamp left the field without his head exploding.

UEFA’s recording of this incident is interesting. The case of mistaken identity is easy to spot in UEFA’s official minute by minute report:

79 Jakobsen (AaB) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Samaras (Celtic).
79 Beauchamp (AaB) is dismissed.

But strangely absent from their final match report:

Samaras appeared poised to finally give Celtic the lead their possession warranted 13 minutes from time when he charged through on goal, only to be brought down in a clear goalscoring position – a challenge which earned defender Michael Beauchamp a red card.

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Cerberus

It's certainly not a great boost for his ego in general. He had already earned himself a red card 18' into his first game this season, so this was probably an insult to injury to his desire to settle in to the club.
Ibracadabra

@ ursus arctos -

a good confidence boost for Beauchamp, I'm sure!

Imagine if this happened in a Neville / Wes Brown scenario. Neville just looked TERRIBLE yesterday...
ursus arctos

I have no real idea of the relative merits of the two players, but it would be humourous if Aalborg decided not to appeal because they would rather be without Beauchamp than Jakobson.
Matt

It will most certainly be reversed, but will the correct party then get the suspension?
ursus arctos

Definitely part of it, though it seems that in this case, Trefoloni was betrayed by his linesman, who insisted that Beauchamp was the culprit. Unsurprisingly, Trefoloni took his colleague's word over that of Jakobson (who seemed perfectly willing to walk), but may not be so quick to do so the next time they are paired.

I expect it to be reversed if AAB appeals.
SwissJan

Don't want to admit their own mistake?