Luton Town star sees five-match ban overturned in unusual circumstances as red card ‘does him a favour'

The Sun

30-04-2025

LUTON TOWN midfielder Liam Walsh avoided a five-match ban after a straight red card seemingly HELPED him avoid a stint on the sidelines.
Walsh, 27, was shown a straight red for violent conduct during Luton 's 1-0 win over Coventry City at the weekend.
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Having already been booked earlier in the game, Walsh shoved Coventry defender Luis Binks in the 68th minute of the Championship clash.
Referee Oliver Langford appeared to deem the push to be an act of violence and instead of showing Walsh a second yellow, he opted to show a straight red.
That decision meant that Luton were able to appeal the red - something that wouldn't have been an option for two yellow cards.
The Hatters' appeal was successful, over-turning what would have been a five-match ban for Walsh following his two previous red cards earlier in the campaign.
Had referee Langford issued Walsh a second yellow card then he would have been sent off without the ability to appeal the decision and would have subsequently received a one-match ban.
Now the former Everton academy graduate will face now suspension and is available to play in Luton's final game of the season as they scrap to stay afloat in the Championship.
Luton, who were only relegated from the Premier League last season, sit just one point above the drop in the Championship and know that win over West Brom will keep them up on Saturday.
Other fans have been left incensed by Walsh's availability for the West Brom game, claiming that the midfielder has got away without a ban because of a technicality over the straight red card.
Luton Town Statement
Here's what Luton Town had to say about their appeal...
"We are delighted to confirm that the Club's appeal against midfielder Liam Walsh's straight red card during last Saturday's win over Coventry City has been upheld.
"A Football Association appeal hearing was held yesterday afternoon to rule on referee Oli Langford's decision to dismiss the 27-year-old after Sky Blues defender Luis Binks went to ground in the 68th minute of the Town's 1-0 victory at Kenilworth Road.
"The FA statement says: 'Luton Town's Liam Walsh will be available for their next five matches after a claim of wrongful dismissal was upheld by an independent Regulatory Commission. The midfielder was sent off for violent conduct on Saturday, 26 April, during their EFL Championship match against Coventry City.'
"We look forward to seeing Walshy back in action at West Brom on Saturday!"
On social media, one fan wrote: "So a player that should've been sent off for a second yellow has his ban overturned and yet [Isaiah] Jones who got booked (and should have been sent off) won't get a retrospective ban?"
While another added: "Very lucky man, should've been a second yellow, rather than a straight red.
"So sending off was right, and now because of the poor decision by the ref, he now gets to play and not face the 1 game suspension he should have regardless."
A third posted: "Irony is the incompetent ref has done Walsh a favour by incorrectly giving him a red rather than correctly a (non overturnable) second yellow".
And a fourth even labelled the PGMOL and the FA as "Incompetent fools".