Credit: Coventry City YouTube / Imago

Harri Burton

Sat 7 March 2026 16:58, UK

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Coventry City supporters were baffled by Joel Latibeaudiere after a moment of madness during a Championship clash against Bristol City.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto gave the Sky Blues a first-half lead at Ashton Gate on Saturday, 7 March, only for the game to be potentially tipped on its head just moments before the half-time break.

Latibeaudiere, after bringing down Emil Riis and denying him a goalscoring opportunity, was shown a straight red card by referee Matt Donohue, and there was little arguing about it.

With Haji Wright scoring a second just before half-time, and the Robins going down to 10 men, thanks to Adam Randell, Frank Lampard’s side were able to seal all three points, but it was far from a simple afternoon.

• Read more: Supercomputer’s latest update on the Championship promotion race.

Joel Latibeaudiere forced into ‘stupid’ error vs Bristol City

Coventry remained at the top of the Championship table, eight points clear of Middlesbrough, but the game was far more testing than it needed to be for Lampard’s side.

Latibeaudiere has been key to the defender’s success this season, so with the player now suspended, supporters criticised him for being a “bomb scare” with the ball at his feet.

Another supporter even suggested that allowing Riis a chance to score, rather than going down to 10 men for the rest of the game, would have been a much more sensible idea.

• @killerkilcline8: “The Tin Man needs a bit of WD40 on them feet.”
• @Llewcalon: “Stupid, stupid decision!!!”
• @bobbydodo74: “Best goalkeeper in the league behind you, just let the player go through, hope your keeper bails you out. Sorry, but that’s dumb.”

Coventry fans all say the same about Adam Randell’s red card

After Latibeaudiere was given his marching orders, the majority of away supporters all felt that Randell should have been sent off earlier in the game, having been cautioned in the 29th minute.

Many felt that it was justice served when Randell was sent off just 11 minutes into the second half, helping the Sky Blues to see out the victory away from home.

It certainly evened things out for the remainder of the second half, but with Bristol City unlikely to secure a play-off spot and nowhere near the relegation fight, it was a simple performance in the second 45.

Lampard will now be forced into changes against Preston North End in the upcoming game, but the manager has more than enough talent within the squad to cope.