Roy Hodgson explained referee Michael Oliver’s rational in sending Luka Milivojevic in Crystal Palace’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Derby on Sunday.
The skipper was initially given a yellow card for an altercation with Rams’ midfielder Tom Huddlestone, before producing a straight red after reviewing the incident on the touchline monitor.
Asked if he prefers the fact that the referee is able to review the action pitchside and overturn a decision the Palace boss said: “No, not particularly!
“If it is going to be the referee’s decision on that field that counts why do you bother with the VAR people sitting there in Stockley Park.
“Make up your mind.
“You either want the people in Stockley Park to referee it or the referee to referee it.
“He gave a yellow card in the first instance to both players, Huddlestone and Luka, for the situation where they were tussling.
“Then he claimed he gave a separate red card for what he saw as an act of headbutting.”
Milivojevic dismissal didn’t go down well with Palace fans as they took to social media to lambast the captain who’ll now miss the next three fixtures against Arsenal, Manchester City and Southampton.
Bye Luka we don’t get penalties anymore you’re no longer needed 👋🏼 #cpfc
— Chris Derham (@cgderham) January 5, 2020
Luka’s reaction stinks to me of self frustration at being so poor this season #cpfc
— James Hutchinson (@SquidgyJim) January 5, 2020
Sad but not overly surprising to see people defending Luka today. It was idiotic behaviour and not what anyone should expect from a responsible captain, especially bearing in mind the current injury crisis. Bad day at the office and poor decision making #CPFC
— Ian S (@swlondoneye) January 5, 2020
Kept quiet on this for a while cause I truly didn't know which side I was on. I love Luka as a player but i don't think he's the right man for the captaincy. Don't want him gone just think someone else may be better with the armband. Cahill, Tomkins or Mcarthur maybe? #cpfc @cpfc
— Tony Hall (@tgh316) January 5, 2020
Luka Milivojevic, wearing his “respect” arm band, attempts to headbutt Derby’s Tom Huddlestone. Then, has his arms all over the referee when he gets a red card, despite the fact that the ref has just watched the incident on a pitch side monitor. Respect? Think not #cpfc #dcfc
— Jonathan (@JonathanLCFC) January 5, 2020
The only positive I take from #cpfc performance today is that we will be forced in having someone other than Luka take set pieces.
— James Louis Kelley (@jameslkelley) January 5, 2020
Gross misconduct from Luka. That has been coming for a few weeks now. #cpfc
— Lee Blackwell (@LeeBlackwell9) January 5, 2020
I’ve always defended Luka on here whenever he gets criticised, but that was just silly and needless from him today. Especially when we’re in the middle of a terrible injury crisis. A captain should know better and not get involved, but he’s lost his head there. #cpfc
— Ollie Blake (@ollieblake43) January 5, 2020
I'll never understand why fans clap players off after they get sent off, especially when you get one as stupid as Luka. #cpfc
— Sam Pudney (@Sampuds) January 5, 2020
Luka is a fucking idiot. Less angry about the game and more angry about the suspension, when we’re already thin on the ground. Absolute moron. #CPFC
— George Mann (@George_Persona) January 5, 2020
Luka should never captain this club again, how he was made captain in the first place is beyond me. Shit footballer with an even worse temper. #CPFC
— CPFC🦅 (@ZacCPFC) January 5, 2020
Pointless supporters showing up if the players don't even want to turn up. Luka using the FA Cup to act the hard man. Nice one 👍 #FACup #CPFC
— Chris Henry (@ChrisHenry91) January 5, 2020
Catastrophic game for #cpfc on every level. Luka was a disgrace, he has massively let the club down
— Chris Waters (@Clapham_Grand) January 5, 2020
Another awful performance! Luka is a disgrace. Finished the game with the GK and 9 outfield players with zero creativity. Embarrassing from start to finish! #cpfc #facup
— Ryan Harvey (@RyanMarkHarvey3) January 5, 2020
Sums up Luka that! He won’t murder ya cos he’s a pussy cat! The only thing he murders are his free kicks and corners. At least we won’t have to see any more of them today! #FACup #CRYDER #cpfc
— Dan R (@SweetAsAMoose) January 5, 2020
What's wrong with Luka? He's been a liability lately. Not playing well and now sent off. #CPFC
— Steve Brookstein (@stevebrookstein) January 5, 2020
Luka ‘liability’ Milivojevic #cpfc
— Warren Davies (@WA07ZZA) January 5, 2020
Luka is just an overrated, overpaid thug #cpfc
— Geoff(Not My Prime Minister) (@gplondon) January 5, 2020
Why would luka react like that? Especially with how many players we are without? So so so stupid! #CPFC
— Sarah Austen 🐧💚 (@Sarahsazzaj) January 5, 2020
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