Middlesbrough’s 3-3 draw with Sunderland on Saturday saw the second dismissal of the season for Adama Traore. An off the ball incident saw the referee brandish the red card, but Boro are set to appeal the decision.
Middlesbrough’s Traore shoved Sunderland’s Bryan Oviedo to the ground, and it was deemed to be violent conduct by the referee. The official had already given a red card to Jake Clarke-Salter for the opposition earlier in the first half.
Manager Tony Pulis said that he ‘hopes the authorities take a look’ at the decision, feeling that the action taken by the 22-year old was due to being provoked by Oviedo. Pulis stated:
“Adama’s sending-off was a disappointment, Oviedo has walked round the back of him and poked him in the eye, Adama has raised his hands and shouldn’t have shoved him in the chest. Hopefully people will look at it and see it was a reaction to something that shouldn’t happen.”
The young Spaniard faces a four-match ban given that he has already received a red card earlier in the season. Traore was given his marching orders against Aston Villa in September, just four minutes into the game.
Although the initial incident may not have merited a red card, the reaction from Traore may result in the ban being upheld.
He confronted the fourth official, before having to be walked down the tunnel by team mate Adam Clayton.
The wide-man will miss Boro’s important home fixture against Leeds United on Friday night, along with games against Birmingham, Barnsley and Brentford.
The club have until Tuesday at 1pm in order to submit an appeal.
