Ally McCoist in the firing line for Mohammed Kudus comment after red card | Football | Sport

Ally McCoist has been criticised for his comments on Mohammed Kudus’ red card.

Kudus was shown red late in the second half after the West Ham United forward was caught up in a scuffle with several Tottenham Hotspur players.

It sparked when Kudus charged into a tackle with Micky van de Ven, with replays showing the Ghana international appeared to kick the Spurs defender when he was on the ground.

Van de Ven quickly got to his feet and confronted Kudus, who then shoved his hands into the opposition player’s face.

Referee Andrew Madley originally only showed Kudus a yellow card – a decision McCoist was content with.

McCoist said on commentary for TNT Sports: “I don’t think there’s an awful lot, but he puts his hand to his face. I really hope it’s a yellow, but it could be a red.

“I’d be delighted if he stays on the field. It’s a right hand to the face, it’s not a punch.”

Lead commentator Darren Fletcher chimed in and said because of the raised hand Kudus would be retrospectively sent off.

That proved exactly the case, with Madley sent over to the monitor to review the decision, before returning to the pitch and sending Kudus off.

However, McCoist, who continued on his rant about the softness of the red card, took plenty of pelters from fans online who were astonished by the ex-Scotland international’s opinion.

@JMitchell82 posted on X: “Kudus only getting a booking is the worst officiating I’ve ever seen. He deserved about 3 separate red cards. Ally McCoist talking some of the biggest nonsense I’ve ever heard too.”

@Birdiex94x claimed: “Ally McCoist saying it shouldn’t be a red is ridiculous.”

@DayPaul84 wrote: “Ally McCoist has lost his mind. It’s 3 red cards [three laughing emojis].”

There was some support for McCoist’s point of view, even if the general consensus was that Kudus ought to be sent off.

@SSBradMCFC_ posted: “Ally McCoist is spot on the game has gone so soft but in today’s game you’re never staying on the pitch for that.”

Despite the revised decision from Madley, McCoist doubled down on his stance, but did admit the referee was right to send the 24-year-old off.

He later added: “By the letter of the law, he’s [the referee] right. But book him and let’s get on with the game… is this where we want to go, is this the road we want to go down.

“I’m probably old school. Give him a booking let’s get on with the game. “

Kudus had been the hero for West Ham early in the first half when his strike put the visitors ahead.

But after Dejan Kulusevski levelled things before the break, Spurs ran riot in the second 45, netting three in eight minutes to tip the game on its head.