No ban for Rotherham United's Michael Smith as derby red card is rescinded

Michael Smith scores in the derby. Picture by Jim BrailsfordMichael Smith scores in the derby. Picture by Jim Brailsford
Michael Smith scores in the derby. Picture by Jim Brailsford
ROTHERHAM United have won their appeal to overturn the red card shown to striker Michael Smith in last night's derby triumph over Sheffield Wednesday.

The 29-year-old had been due to miss the Millers' next three matches through suspension after being dismissed in the 66th minute of the 2-1 Championship win at Hillsborough.

However, the FA today ruled that referee Darren Bond made the wrong decision and Smith is now free to continue playing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Manager Paul Warne described the sending-off as "very harsh" and the club launched an appeal this morning.

The forward was sent from the field after an innocuous altercation with Julien Borner and replays showed he had done nothing to merit the straight red he received.

It had been the first dismissal of a career approaching 400 games.

Warne, preparing his side for Saturday's trip to Brentford,  said: "I joked that I have spent three years trying to get Smudge to be more aggressive. He doesn't have a bad bone in his body.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Out of all my players, he is the last one to get involved in anything like that."

Smith, who had scored a superb first-half header to put Rotherham in front against the Owls, couldn't believe it when the official brandished the card.

"It was disappointing, especially because Smudge's performance was faultless," Warne said.

"His goal was brilliant and he was a constant thorn in Sheffield Wednesday's side prior to the sending-off.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I felt for the lad because he was the one person in the dressing room afterwards a bit disappointed after a great victory."

Meanwhile, captain Richard Wood will sit out the Bees match and Tuesday's clash at Luton Town because he is self-isolating.

The skipper is due to return to training next Thursday,

Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice