Lloyd Kelly was sent off in strange circumstances in Juventus' defeat to Galatasaray
Lloyd Kelly of Juventus reacts after being shown a red card against Galatasaray
Lloyd Kelly of Juventus reacts after being shown a red card against Galatasaray in the Champions League(Image: Getty Images)
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Former Newcastle United defender Lloyd Kelly was left furious last night after the Juventus star was sent off in their Champions League play-off with Galatasaray.
The ex-Bournemouth stopper, who played 14 times for Newcastle before moving to Italy last year, was shown a straight red card by referee Joao Pinheiro after catching Baris Yilmaz in the 48th minute.
Already on a yellow card, Kelly caught Yilmaz's heel after jumping for an aerial challenge in what appeared to be an accidental collision.
However, the official thought otherwise and brandished a second yellow card . . . only to be advised by VAR to check the replay.
To Kelly's astonishment, the referee then canceleld the yellow before showing him a straight red car, prompting furious scenes.
Kelly was livid, kicking out at advertising boards as he left the field.
Juve, who were 5-2 behind from the first, were 1-0 up at the time, and remarkably rallied to 3-0 on the night to send the game to extra-trime.
However, goals from Victor Osmihen and Baris Alper Yilmaz sent the Turkish side through to the last 16.
Juventus defender Llloyd Kelly shows his disappointment after being sent off
Juventus defender Llloyd Kelly appeals to the referee(Image: Getty Images)
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Juventus defender Llloyd Kelly shows his disappointment after being sent off
Kelly was sent off after a VAR review(Image: Getty Images)
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Speaking on BBC, former Spurs and Nottingham Forest winger Andy Reid said: "There needs to be contact in football and sometimes people do get painful ones. It happens. There's nothing you can do about that. It's part of the game."
And ex-Premier League defender Curtis Davies added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Kelly goes up for a header, he's gone for the header cleanly. His feet have to land on the ground somewhere.
"Unfortunately, he lands on the player. There needs to be a level of understanding - where is he meant to put his feet? I understand Kelly's frustration."
Former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder Don Hutchison was also mystified, saying: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.”
With Juventus out, Kelly will now serve a three-match European ban next season.
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