Dundee United win appeal as Vicko Sevelj red card for handball v Hibs is overturned

Dundee United have been successful in their appeal against the red card shown to Vicko Sevelj for handball against Hibernian.

Sevelj was dismissed in the final minutes of their 3-3 draw at Easter Road. The Croatian was sent off following a VAR review that ruled he had stopped a goalscoring opportunity by handling the ball.

An independent panel reviewed the incident and has rescinded the red card, meaning Sevelj will not have to serve a suspension.

A United statement read: “Following a robust appeal process, Dundee United are pleased to confirm that our claim against the dismissal of Vicko Ševelj for denying a goal or obvious goal-scoring opportunity against Hibernian has been successful.

“As a result, the 24-year-old will now be available for selection ahead of our William Hill Premiership clash with Aberdeen on Tuesday, September 23.

“Dundee United thanks the panel for taking the time to listen to the reasoning put forward.”

United boss Jim Goodwin was in disbelief at the decision after the final whistle on Saturday, which handed Hibs the opportunity to equalise from the penalty.

“I would hate to be a defender in the modern-day game, and I certainly wouldn’t enjoy being a referee either, having to come to decisions on things that are so subjective.

“Vicko has tried to hold off the Hibs player to his left.

“He puts his arm out to block the Hibs player. Yes, the ball hit him on the upper arm, the sleeve line, possibly, but there was absolutely no intent.

“Then to get the red card after that was just quite incredible really.

“The referee spoke about it being a clear and obvious goalscoring opportunity that Vicko has denied.

“By the letter of the law, then he needs to come to that outcome.”

The Laws of the Game state that it is a handball offence if a player:

touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger. A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation. By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of their hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalised

deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, for example, moving the hand/arm towards the ball

A red card is only shown if “a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing a deliberate handball offence”.