Pascal Struijk's red card against Sunderland has been overturned, freeing the Brighton defender from suspension. An independent Regulatory Commission upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal on Tuesday, moving the one-match ban that would have ruled him out of this weekend's game.
The decision reverses a key moment from Brighton's 2-0 win at the Stadium of Light last Saturday, a result that lifted the Seagulls to third in the Premier League standings. In the 57th minute, with the visitors leading 1-0, Struijk was adjudged to have fouled Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor as he chased a through-ball. Referee Thomas Bramall initially saw no foul, but VAR official Neil Davies intervened and called him to the pitchside monitor.
After reviewing the footage, Bramall showed Struijk a straight red card. "After review, there is a foul by Brighton No.4, which denies Sunderland a goal-scoring opportunity," Bramall stated. "The final decision is a red card and a direct free-kick." The ruling left Brighton players in disbelief and forced them to play the final half-hour with ten men, a resilience that has been a feature of their strong start to the season.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler later called the decision harsh, though he admitted he had not re-watched the incident. His side held on and even added a late second goal to secure the victory. For Sunderland, the defeat was part of a difficult start that has them 17th with just four points from six games. Their next challenge is a trip to face 18th-placed Bournemouth on Saturday, a key fixture in the early-season battle at the bottom.
The commission's ruling means the 27-year-old Struijk, a £20 million summer signing from Leeds, is now available for Brighton's Premier League encounter with Crystal Palace. The defender had been making just his second league start for the Seagulls when he was sent off. His availability is a boost for a squad looking to maintain its position near the top, with fans able to check the latest team news and player availability on the club's injuries page.
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