Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne received a straight red card after a VAR review early in his side’s clash with Macarthur FC in the Isuzu UTE A-League after a major misjudgement outside of his penalty area.
The Bulls were on the attack in the Isuzu UTE A-League clash and Redmayne was caught way off his line as a through ball fell into the path of Macarthur’s Matthew Millar; after taking two touches to control Clayton Lewis’ through ball, Millar attempted a long-range attempt on goal which crashed into the arm of Redmayne.
Referee Daniel Elder initially saw no handball in the 13th-minute incident, but after a review by the pitchside monitor, produced a red card from his back pocket to dismiss Redmayne from the game.
Sydney striker Patrick Wood was the casualty in the starting XI, with Ufuk Talay hooking the forward to bring backup goalkeeper Adam Pavlesic off his bench.
Macarthur went on to win the game 2-0, with Jake Hollman and Valère Germain the goalscorers.
WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS OF MACARTHUR’S WIN OVER SYDNEY FC HERE
Paramount+ co-commentator Andy Harper reviewed the decision to send off the Sydney keeper as the hosts were reduced to 10 men at Allianz Stadium.
“Intentional handball?” Questioned Harper.
“We haven’t quite removed the word ‘intent’ from the rules, I don’t think. It’s a hugely contentious issue.
“What is beyond dispute is that Redmayne cut himself away from the anchor and was in no man’s land completely. From there, people can make their own minds up.
“The match officials, most importantly, have decided their course of action.”
At half-time, Sydney FC legend Alex Brosque said his initial thought was that play on was the right call, but found it hard to argue against the dismissal when watching the action back.
“Watching it live and seeing it again there, it looks like the referee got the right decision in playing on,” Brosque said on the Paramount+ half-time show.
“But there is a photo that’s been circulating, and we have seen that the moment it strikes his arm, it is away from the body. It’s one of those that is so unfortunate. The talk is about: ‘Is the arm in a natural position?’ It’s hard not to run with your arms sometimes away from your body. No one runs with their arms tucked behind their sides.
“It is unfortunate – but when you see that freeze frame it is hard to argue.”
Socceroo and former A-Leagues defender Trent Sainsbury added his thoughts on the incident via Instagram, commenting it was “never a red” for Redmayne – an opinion supported by former Socceroo and Network 10 analyst Luke Wilkshire.
