wicked.football

Southampton have won their appeal against the red card Jannik Vestergaard received in their draw against Leicester on Friday.

The 28-year-old Denmark international was dismissed by referee Robert Jones for denying Foxes striker Jamie Vardy a goal-scoring opportunity just 10 minutes into the game, which went on to finish as a 1-1 draw.

However, an independent regulatory commission has upheld a claim for wrongful dismissal. As a result, his one-match ban has been quashed and he will be available to face Liverpool on Saturday.

A Football Association statement read: “An independent regulatory commission has removed Jannik Vestergaard’s one-match suspension following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal.

“The Southampton FC defender was dismissed for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity during the Premier League fixture against Leicester City FC on Friday 30 April 2021.”

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Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl had taken issue with the decision straight away. After the game, he said: “Not delighted with the red card decision but very delighted with the performance from my fighting side.

“The official explanation was denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The goalkeeper was near the ball, he could pick it up. I think he [Vardy] would never get this ball. This explanation is simply wrong.

“I thought it was [going to be] a penalty and then it would be even more difficult but when you see the red card then you see that it was absolutely the wrong decision and we deserved to get something today.

“Jon Moss has seen it, the VAR, and he says it’s a red card, although Vardy never had the ball. The denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity is an argument that I cannot agree [with].”

Hasenhuttl tells Rodgers to reject Spurs

Meanwhile, Hasenhuttl has said that Leicester counterpart Brendan Rodgers will have more “fun” by rejecting potential advances from Tottenham.

Rodgers has reportedly emerged as a target for Spurs in their hunt to replace Jose Mourinho. The Northern Irishman has enjoyed his time with Leicester to date, but better times could yet be on the horizon. Indeed, the Foxes are well-placed to go one better than last season by qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has reportedly earmarked their manager as a candidate.

According to Saints boss Hasenhuttl, though, his counterpart will be better off staying in the East Midlands.

“I don’t know what he is thinking but in his position, it is not about the money anymore,” the Austrian told Hampshire Live.

“It is more about having fun in your job and at this moment he definitely enjoys his job at Leicester.

“He has everything he wants. He is successful with a very strong side and they are maybe part of the Champions League next season.”

READ MORE: Hasenhuttl reveals Liverpool official’s verdict after detailed Minamino talks

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