SUNDERLAND — Pascal Struijk's controversial red card in Brighton's 2-0 victory at Sunderland has been overturned following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal. The Brighton defender was sent off after 57 minutes at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, but the decision has now been reversed, clearing him to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend.
Neither referee Thomas Bramall nor his assistant initially gave a foul when Struijk was adjudged to have fouled Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor as he tried to run onto a through-ball. VAR Neil Davies intervened and called the on-field official to the screen, and after watching the replay multiple times Bramall showed Struijk a straight red card for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity, a decision greeted with disbelief from the Brighton players.
The outcome of the appeal means Struijk will not have to serve a one-match ban and will now be available for selection against Crystal Palace. Struijk joined Brighton from Leeds in a £20m move in the summer and was making his second Premier League start for his new club when he was dismissed.
Despite the red card, Brighton went on to win the match 2-0 and continue their strong start to the season. The Seagulls are third in the standings, five points behind leaders Manchester City.