Derby County hope for Joe Wildsmith red card reverse, as they appeal referee’s decision

Derby County have appealed against the decision to send of goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

The decision was made by referee Charles Breakspear to send off Derby’s goalkeeper when he appeared to handball outside the box. However, replays after the game and on social media have shown the ball to hit his chest rather than his arm.

The Rams have appealed the decision and will hope that the EFL will reverse the red card which would save Wildsmith from a match ban for Derby’s crucial home fixture against promotion-chasing Portsmouth.

The red card came controversially in a game where the referee made a number of questionable decisions, including when he awarded a penalty for Bolton after Korey Smith made a foul challenge, however, it does appear that the foul was comitted outside the box which should have resulted in a free kick on the edge of the area.

The Rams will be hopeful that Wildsmith will be available against Portsmouth in their next game however otherwise, second-choice Josh Vickers will most likley step up into the first team.