'Modern football...' - What Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder said about John Lundstram's red card against Brighton & Hove Albion

It was a red card that was disputed mostly by those of a Sheffield United persuation as John Lundstram was sent off for a strong challenge on Brighton’s Joel Veltman.
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Referee Peter Bankes initially gave Lundstram a yellow card for the tackle but was advised by the VAR official to take another look and inevitably, the yellow was upgraded to a red.

Sheffield United fans on social media were largely incensed, with the Blades left with ten men for over 50 minutes.

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United did battle bravely and took the lead early in the second half through substitute Jayden Bogle but a Danny Welbeck goal near the end earned a point for the Seagulls at the Amex.

Referee Peter Bankes (R) shows a red card to Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram (L) during the Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Sheffield United at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton  (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Referee Peter Bankes (R) shows a red card to Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram (L) during the Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Sheffield United at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton  (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Referee Peter Bankes (R) shows a red card to Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram (L) during the Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Sheffield United at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane – a man who knows all about a meaty challenge – said the decision to send off Lundstram was correct, explaining at half time in the match: “No excuses. He took a bad touch, that's where sthe trouble starts. He's not in control. It's the referee's job to defend the players.”

However, perhaps understandably, Blades boss Chris Wilder took a different view and bemoaned the evolution of the game which has seen tough tackles all but outlawed.

"Modern day football I suppose,” said Wilder. “I suppose everybody will say, 'yep'... and I suppose that's obviously the world that we are living in.

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"I've been brought up to talk about it as being a contact sport. I should imagine all us old 'uns would possibly turn the clock back and say a yellow card at best but these are the rules we play to and the world we live in."