Exclusive: Jack Currie red wrong in Birmingham vs Leyton Orient – Ex-PGMOL boss
Leyton Orient left-back Jack Currie should not have been sent off during his side’s defeat to Birmingham City, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the 23-year-old should have received a yellow card for his challenge on Blues midfielder Tomoki Iwata instead.
Despite the injury-enforced absence of top scorer Jay Stansfield, Birmingham took another step towards securing an immediate promotion from League One with victory over the O’s on Tuesday (25 February).
They were however given an early boost in their efforts to get that win at St Andrew’s after Currie was shown a red card early on in that match.
Jack Currie sent off in Birmingham City boost
With just 12 minutes on the clock and with the score at 0-0, Currie was forced to chase a loose ball after losing control of possession.
As he did so, the full-back slid in on Iwata with his studs appearing to catch the boot of the Birmingham midfielder, sending him rolling to the ground in pain.
That prompted referee Martin Woods to show a red card to the full-back, before second half goals from Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Ethan Laird secured all three points for the hosts.
| League One position | Played | Points |
| 1. Birmingham City | 31 | 73 |
| 2. Wycombe Wanderers | 32 | 64 |
| 3. Wrexham | 32 | 61 |
Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens who was recently linked with the managerial role at Blackburn, which has since been filled by Valerien Ismael, was left furious with the decision to send his player off.
Now Hackett seemingly has sympathy with Wellens and his side after they were left with a man disadvantage against Birmingham.
Keith Hackett delivers opinion on Leyton Orient red card at St Andrews’
Speaking about the decision to send Currie off, the former referee told Football Insider:
“The referee has only one chance to see the incident and to recognise the challenge. The decision to send off is harsh and the challenge should have been judged as reckless (a yellow card).
“I do not believe that this is a challenge worthy of red because there is no element of brutality and the leading foot remains low into the challenge.”
Birmingham will continue their pursuit of the League One title when they host second-place Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday (1 March).
Leyton Orient meanwhile are challenging for a place in the play-offs in the third-tier, and are due to welcome Charlton Athletic to Brisbane Road at the weekend.