Credit: Imago / Blues TV

Harri Burton

Sat 14 March 2026 16:52, UK

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Femi Seriki was unfortunate to be sent off during a Championship clash between Birmingham City and Sheffield United at St Andrew’s Park.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referee Tim Robinson had a “subjective” decision to make on the defender’s punishment.

In the 23rd minute, the Blades’ No.38 was shown a straight red card for what is assumed to be judged as a last-man foul on Ibrahim Osman, though it is being heavily disputed by the away supporters.

Tyler Bindon was next to the challenge when it happened on Saturday, 14 March. Nonetheless, Robinson still stuck with his decision of a red card, with the Blues scoring from the resulting free-kick.

• Read more: Sheffield United fans were only ripping into Femi Seriki a few weeks ago.

Tim Robinson’s decision on Femi Seriki highly debatable

On social media, even some Birmingham fans are agreeing that a red card was harsh, and asking a former head of the PGMOL, it appears that the Blades have every reason to be upset.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “The foul is the correct decision, but the whole of the criteria for the Denial of a Goalscoring Opportunity (DOGSO) is not fulfilled.

“The position of the covering defender ruled out DOSGO. These, of course, are subjective decisions, and the referee may have decided that the covering defender is not going to make a challenge.

“Double jeopardy only counts inside the penalty area in cases where a player makes a genuine attempt to play the ball.”

• Read more: Ki-Jana Hoever came on after the incident, but this is why Wolves need to sell the loanee.

Do Sheffield United have a discipline problem this season?

It would appear that United do, in fact, have a problem when it comes to discipline.

No teams in the Championship have been shown more red cards than the Blades (6), with their opponents actually coming the closest with five.

While many will disagree with this sending off, and rightly so, it will be a bigger problem than Chris Wilder will want to admit, and one that desperately needs to be addressed.

Although the Blades have climbed away from the relegation zone this season, it was touch-and-go for a while, and these incidents will do nothing to build confidence ahead of next term.