Ian Holloway insists Tottenham star Heung-min Son should NOT have been sent off for kicking out at Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, insisting his red card was ‘so soft’.
However, former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has branded the South Korean ‘petulant’ after seeing red for the THIRD time this year.
Tottenham have confirmed they are appealing the three-match ban Son picked up for sending off during their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
The Spurs forward kicked out at Rudiger in retaliation after he was tripped by the Blues centre-back but was not awarded a free-kick, and was shown a red card after a VAR review.
Following the game Spurs boss Jose Mourinho aimed a dig at Rudiger, saying he hoped the German’s ‘broken ribs’ were OK after his extreme reaction to the incident.
While Son did push his feet into the player’s midriff, the actual contact made was minimal, and yet Rudiger theatrically threw himself to the floor.
And former Premier League manager Holloway also aimed a dig at the Chelsea man and says the decision was harsh on Son, who has come under fire from opposition fans for his growing reputation of rash challenges.
“I feel he’s been harshly dealt with in recent weeks,” Holloway said on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
“Yes he tripped up the Everton lad [Andre Gomes] and it led to a horrific injury, but I don’t think that was a red card.
“And on Sunday I was fed up of it. There was hardly any contact, if any. Rudiger didn’t need to go down. Yeah, Son shouldn’t have done it, but you do get a little bit edgy.
“Was that a red card? I think it’s VAR gone crazy. The referee didn’t give it and VAR did, I just don’t understand it.
“For a defender to go down that easy, it must make someone like Stuart Pearce think what on earth is going on with this game? You had to hit him with a car for him to go down. I mean, come on!
“If that was a serious intent to harm someone, I’m just not having it.
“I think Rudiger made a meal of it, and it was almost simulation from him, give him a yellow card, because he made it look like he was really hurt, but there was hardly any contact!
“That was so soft a red card, I can’t believe it.”
Ian Holloway feels Heung-Min Son's red card against Chelsea was harsh
However, Redknapp believes it was the correct decision and believes it’s unlikely Spurs will see the decision overturned after the latest rash act from Son, who is developing a reputation for his lack of self-control on the pitch.
“No, I can’t see them overturning it,” the former boss told talkSPORT on Tuesday.
“He looks a great lad, Son, but certainly he was petulant.
“He kicked out, I can’t see any way they’ll overturn it. I think he’s got to move on and take the punishment now.”
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