Exclusive: Joao Pedro appeal verdict after hero to villain Hull red vs Bristol City
Hull City striker Joao Pedro can have no complaints about being sent off just moments after scoring in his side’s draw with Bristol City, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the 33-year-old’s emotions after his goal may have contributed to his challenge that led to him being dismissed.
Pedro joined Hull on a free transfer back in September last year, following his departure from Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
The striker has not had the most prolific of season in front of goals, and even though he did get on the scoresheet here, this is still unlikely to be a moment he will remember fondly.
Joao Pedro endures emotional rollercoaster against Bristol City
With 13 minutes on the clock, the one-time Italy international put the Tigers in front with an excellent turn and finish into the bottom corner of the Bristol City net.
Less than two minutes later however, Pedro had been given his marching orders by referee James Linington for a challenge on Bristol City defender George Tanner.
| Joao Pedro for Hull in 2024/25 | Total (as per Transfermarkt) |
| Appearances | 29 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Yellow Cards | 4 |
| Red Cards | 1 |
The striker had made a challenge with both feet in the air from behind, though replays suggested contact was limited, and that Tanner went to ground after colliding with another Hull player in Kyle Joseph.
There was therefore some significant debate about the decision, and it has since been reported that the Tigers have appealed that red card, though Hackett does not believe it is a move that will be successful.
Keith Hackett dismisses Hull City complaints over Joao Pedro red card
Spaking to Football Insider about the decision to send Pedro off, the former referee said:
“He’s off the ground, he’s out of control, if they appeal that they’re not going to get off. It doesn’t matter about contact.
“When you make a challenge that’s got excessive force and endangers the safety of an opponent, this is like two cars.
“If you take two cars, you can drive it recklessly and you can just miss crashing, but you’ve endangered both occupants and therefore you’re done for dangerous driving.
“So in this situation, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s no contact so it’s not actually fulfilled the role of serious foul play. I suspect that what’s happened here is he’s full of elation, he’s scored a goal, and that’s the outcome. The referee’s in a good position.”
That sending off would prove costly for the ten men, who would later concede to a Anis Mehmeti penalty, forcing them to settle for a 1-1 draw.
With Hull having appointed Ruben Selles as manager back in December, they have since shown signs of resurgence of they fight to avoid relegation from the Championship.
They will look to pick up more important points when they host Oxford United on Wednesday (12 March).