Exclusive: Liam Walsh appeal verdict issued after ‘no-no’ Luton red vs Coventry
Keith Hackett has reacted to the red card shown to Luton Town midfielder Liam Walsh prior to his side’s late winner against Coventry City.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the 27-year-old can have no complaints over his sending off after raising his hands with a push on Luis Binks.
With Luton having appointed Matt Bloomfield as manager back in January, that move may now be paying after victory over Coventry on Saturday (26 April) earned them a third straight win.
That has seen them climb out of the Championship relegation zone, and they are one point clear of the bottom three going into the final day.
However, the Hatters did not make it easy for themselves to claim that latest victory at Kenilworth Road, following Walsh‘s actions midway through the first half.
Liam Walsh almost costs his side in key game
With Frank Lampard having taken Coventry to the brink of the play-offs, this was always going to be a tough game for Luton as they looked to lift themselves out of the bottom three.
They had though been given a helping hand early on when Jay Dasilva was contentiously sent off after just 13 minutes for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity.
Shortly after the hour-mark though, the hosts would lose their man advantage after a moment of madness from Walsh.
| Liam Walsh key 2024/25 stats | Total (from Transfermarkt) |
| Appearances | 25 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 |
| Red Cards | 3 |
After Luton had been awarded a free kick on the edge of the Coventry penalty area, Sky Blues defender Binks appeared to become involved in a debate with one of his opponents.
That then led to Walsh running in and seemingly pushing the 23-year-old in the back, causing him theatrically fall into the path of another Hatters player before dropping to the ground.
Referee Oliver Langford then showed a straight red card to Walsh, and Hackett believes that despite the exagerrated nature of the fall from Binks, the Luton man can have no complaints about his dismissal.
‘Luton Town man’s raised hands made trouble inevitable’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider what he made of that decision to send Walsh off for a push in the back given the way in which Binks’ went to ground, the former referee said:
“If a player wants to show concern about what has happened to an opponent or a colleague, the one he has to do in football is: the goalkeeper can use his hands, players can’t.
“It might look harsh but he’s gone in and he’s used his arm and hand on his opponent so he’s asked the question of the referee and the referee’s said ‘right, you’re off’.
“So has he any right of appeal? I think not. He might, but whether he’ll succeed… Yes there’s an overeaction possibly with the opponent.
“But judging the strength of the action is difficult but he’s used his hands against his opponent, he’s raised his hands and arm, that’s a no-no in football.”
Despite also being reduced to ten men with this red card, a 90th minute winner from Shandon Baptiste means Luton will still go into the final day of the season with hope of avoiding relegation.
The Hatters will travel to the Hawthorns to face a managerless West Brom side who are now out of the play-off race and clear of the relegation battle.