Sunderland to appeal Alim Ozturk’s red card against Portsmouth

Sunderland will appeal Alim Ozturk’s red card following his dismissal against Pompey last night.
Referee Andy Woolmer shows Alim Ozturk a red card Picture: Joe PeplerReferee Andy Woolmer shows Alim Ozturk a red card Picture: Joe Pepler
Referee Andy Woolmer shows Alim Ozturk a red card Picture: Joe Pepler

The Sunderland central defender was sent off on 67 minutes by referee Andy Woolmer following a foul on Gareth Evans.

The referee deemed the Black Cats player had denied the Blues skipper a clear goalscoring opportunity when committing the foul on the edge of the hosts’ penalty area.

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However, Sunderland boss Jack Ross has questioned the decision.

And he’s not ruling out having the Turkish centre-half being available for Thursday’s return leg at Fratton Park.

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Evans adamant it was a ‘blatant’ red card for Sunderland defender

The Black Cats go into that game with a 1-0 advantage following substitute Chris Maguire’s 62nd-minute strike at the Stadium of Light.

Ross said: ‘My reaction at the time was that it was impossible to tell at first if it was a foul, but my only criticism was if it was a goal scoring opportunity?

Referee Andy Woolmer shows Alim Ozturk a red card Picture: Joe PeplerReferee Andy Woolmer shows Alim Ozturk a red card Picture: Joe Pepler
Referee Andy Woolmer shows Alim Ozturk a red card Picture: Joe Pepler
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‘I think the touch has taken him (Evans) the wrong side of the box. Having watched it again I am still of that opinion.

‘We will appeal on that basis – I don’t think it was clear and obvious.

‘I may always say that but I take a balanced view on it.

‘You can’t do anything about it once it’s happened, then it’s about finding a way to try and win the game.’