Ex-refs chief: Brighton backed to 'appeal' Pascal Struijk's red card vs Sunderland

Brighton should have a good chance of appealing Pascal Struijk's red card after the defender was sent off against Sunderland.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the subjective nature of the decision lends itself to the Seagulls.

Maxim De Cuyper and Jaouen Hadjam sealed all three points for the visitors at the Stadium of Light, but it was far from simple on Saturday, 10 October.

Four minutes after Brighton took the lead, Struijk was given his marching orders after being ajudged to have hauled down Wilson Isidor.

Thomas Bramall reviewed the incident with VAR, and after deliberating, decided that there was enough evidence for a red card, rather than yellow.

This decision has been heavily debated, though, and it is now believed that Fabian Hurzeler's side could escape a punishment should they appeal it.

Should Brighton appeal Pascal Struijk's red card?

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett has tried to convince the Seagulls to lodge an appeal, but did admit that it may not be successful.

For me, I wouldn't expect a red card here. And the reason I stick with that is that, and it's subjective..." he said.

"But when I look at that, we have to consider the probability of the forward controlling the ball, maintaining control of the ball.

"When you actually look at that, when there's a point of contact which has this degree of subjectivity, is it a foul? Has he gone down early?

"Considering all that, for me, I think there's a stronger chance of the goalkeeper getting possession of the ball. And that element of doubt would have said to me, I'll give a yellow card and not a red.

"If I were the team involved with this player, I think this morning I would be looking to appeal. And they may lose, but I think it's worth a chance of appealing this.

"I would put forward the view that I think there is a strong case that the goalkeeper is going to gain possession."

Is appealing the red card worth the risk?

Up against FK Kauno Zalgiris next in the Europa Conference League, Struijk will be available to feature despite his red card.

His suspension will only matter for domestic competitions, and with Lewis Dunk, Luka Vuskovic and Olivier Boscagli available, his absence shouldn't be game-changing.

While appealing the decision might be a no-brainer to some, if it is rejected by an independent panel, his one-game ban would be increased.

With so many players in the squad capable of filling in, it seems like a big risk to appeal the decision, with the potential for an even longer absence.