Lincoln City Red Card Overturned: Suspension Lifted For Burnley Encounter

Lincoln City have successfully appealed Deji Elerewe’s red card at Millwall, leaving the defender available for Saturday’s visit of Burnley.

Elerewe was dismissed in the 84th minute of Saturday’s 2-2 draw at The Den following a coming together with Zak Lovelace, having been adjudged to have denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity. City had already seen their two-goal lead wiped out and were left to protect a point with ten men in the closing stages.

Asked about the suspension situation by the written press after the match, Chris Cohen said:

“Yeah, Conor will be available. Obviously, Tom, Fred and Deji will be out, depending on whether we try to get Deji’s rescinded. We have to look into that and see if it’s something we want to pursue.”

City pursued the appeal and have now confirmed that it was successful, issuing the following statement:

“Deji Elerewe will be available for Lincoln City’s Sky Bet Championship fixture against Burnley on Saturday 24 October following a successful appeal against his red card at Millwall. The defender was dismissed during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at The Den after being adjudged to have denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

“City subsequently appealed the decision, with the appeal upheld and the red card overturned. The decision means Elerewe will not serve a suspension and is available for selection when the Imps welcome the Clarets to the ProAmpac Stadium this weekend.”

I’m not surprised we appealed it, but I am surprised we got a fair hearing. Usually, the officials are backed to the hilt, but anyone with eyes could see it was never a red card: it was barely even a foul. For it to be a red, it had to be a denial of a goalscoring opportunity, and given the ball’s trajectory, Wickens’ position and where Lovelace was heading, there never seemed to be a reasonable expectation of him getting the ball.

With Tom Hamer still suspended, the decision restores a defensive option for Cohen and Tom Shaw ahead of the Clarets’ visit. Freddie Draper is also out after his yellow card, another soft decision, but at least Elerewe will now be available for selection against Burnley on Saturday.