Dundee United boss Liam Fox has questioned whether referee John Beaton viewed all of the relevant angles by VAR prior to dismissing Tony Watt against Motherwell.
Watt, 28, was given his marching orders following a challenge on Sean Goss during Saturday’s 1-0 triumph for the Steelmen.
Beaton originally waved play on and allowed a United counter-attack to proceed.
However, the whistler was called over to the touchline monitor by VAR David Munro and presented with footage which convinced him that Watt’s challenge was high and reckless.
United submitted an appeal on Monday morning, believing other angles of the incident to cast doubt on the contentious call.
The hearing will take place on Wednesday.
🚨Dundee United appeal Tony Watt's red card v Motherwell⬇️ pic.twitter.com/nraUt1XQx8
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“I can see, with the footage the referee has seen on the VAR monitor, why he has shown a red card,” said Fox. “I have also seen lots of other angles and photographs that would show it is not a red card.
“We feel there is a case to be answered and that is why we have appealed.
“Did the referee see every possible angle that was available to him? We will see what answers we get.
“We will deal with whatever comes off the back of it.”
‘Absolutely devastated’
Fox has described Watt as “devastated” following the decision and, while the former Celtic striker believes Beaton got it wrong, he apologised to his United teammates in the aftermath.
“Tony is adamant it shouldn’t have been a red card,” said Fox. “He was absolutely devastated with the decision, and the fact that we ended up losing the game.
“In fairness, Tony apologised to his teammates after the game because he felt he had let them down, leaving them with 10 men for the second half — but he was adamant that it shouldn’t have been a red card.”
No hiding place
Meanwhile, Fox has laid down a challenge to glove rivals Mark Birighitti and Carljohan Eriksson — declaring that the No.1 berth is there for whoever can grab it.
Birighitti made his first start since August on Saturday, replacing Eriksson between the sticks.
Both men have endured testing Tannadice careers to date, peppered with heavy defeats and high-profile errors.
Nevertheless, they remain international stoppers.
Indeed, both were named goalkeeper of the year in their respective top-flights — Australia and Sweden — prior to their moves to Scotland.
“They (Birighitti and Eriksson) are both honest lads and they would both admit they haven’t hit the heights they did before they came to Dundee United,” acknowledged Fox. “They’ve both been involved in difficult spells and difficult moments.
“They are both very good goalkeepers and, as a team, we need to do more to protect them.
“There are also times when they need to do slightly better, as well.
“I am really looking for someone to take the mantle, claim the No.1 jersey and make it their own.”
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