Since Saturday lunchtime, apologists have been falling over each other to justify John Lundstram’s brutal and cynical attack on Martin Boyle.
Apparently flying in from the back against a far faster opponent with studs making contact just below the knee is a clipping of the heels (copyrite Kenny Miller). A yellow card offence, never a red, a travesty of justice, perhaps part of a dark conspiracy. The second domestic card, of any colour that Lundstram has had in over a year at Ibrox.
Last night the inevitable happened, on appeal the SFA downgraded the red card to a yellow, Lundstram was freed to face Ross County on Saturday.
The SFA had sent out a message. A reckless and dangerous attack from behind on an opponent is only a booking. Every hatchet man has been given the nod that ‘taking one for the team’ will only result in a yellow card being issued.
With the incident getting blanket coverage across Sky Sports and BBC Scotland the message was clear.
Last night against Dumbarton, with his side leading 7-0 Alex Lowry became one of the first victims of ‘Lundstram’s Law’. An opponent flew into the Murray Park starlet, it was brutal and nasty but following the precedent the Dumbarton player was only booked. After lengthy treatment on the park Lowry was stretchered off.
With a Polish referee in charge of tonight’s match in Eindhoven Lundstram’s Law won’t apply.
This challenge on Alex Lowry tonight is horrific. Disgracefully only a yellow card was given. When will we learn about protecting our technical players? A national embarrassment.pic.twitter.com/jW820E6DR2
— Jonny McFarlane (@jonnyrmcfarlane) August 23, 2022
— Paul Graham (@PaulG6787) August 23, 2022
Looks identical to Lundstram’s at the weekend.
— Brian Feighan ?????? (@MarleyLovesBeer) August 23, 2022
Because when referees protect our best players, you go crying to the SFA ???? We know you struggle to stop Martin Boyle from scoring goals but if this isn’t assault then what is? ? pic.twitter.com/9ms5LuwbQm
— _ (@Indy_Diego) August 23, 2022
Sorry but how can come to that conclusion based on that footage that looks like it was filmed on an old Nokia brick?
— Bryan McGinley ????????? (@McGinleyBhoy180) August 23, 2022
Disgraceful…..can we get a ra rangers st.atement…usually get 2/3 per week when things don’t go your way. Government enquiry??? City council closing the stadium. Go to FIFA…geez peace ya Bangor
— G man (@jesuitcrusader1) August 24, 2022
Red card for similar just got downgraded so these tackles are fair game apparently
— Sir Tommy Farmer ? (@SirNotTomFarmer) August 24, 2022
Saw something like this at the weekend at Easter road. Turns out that was a yellow ?
— Spam Rogic | ??????? (@SpamRogic) August 23, 2022
More chance of getting ball than lundstram did but this merits a different punishment laughable
— ? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? (@sellicOK) August 23, 2022
Dive…… just like Martin Boyle.
— JEEF KACKASS (@IrishScotsCelt) August 23, 2022
I seem to remember Jelavic, a long time ago, being injured at Tynecastle with a similar challenge and he was out for about two months.
At the time their fans and the media wanted Ian Black banned for weeks.
Unfortunately these tackles are tolerated in the game and you can’t decide on the punishment depending on whether the player gets injured or not.
The issue is that fans seem content if their player does it but unhappy if it happens to one of their players.
Just as a footnote: guess which club went on to sign Ian Black?
Editor: Was it a brand new club?
Lol let’s hope that daft arse Lunstram will do the same tackle again tonight and get his marching orders how sweet that would be and no appeal this time.
So in those terms by sfa Ian Durrant dived from Neale Cooper tackle
Neil Simpson
Both challenges deserve red as well as the challenge by 2 Ross county players also deserved red that’s the only way to protect skilful players like Lowry Boyle Kyogo Jota etc