Lewis insists Madden let down Ojo with red card
JOE LEWIS is adamant Aberdeen team-mate Funso Ojo deserved protection rather than punishment from referee Bobby Madden, and has called on Dundee United to sanction the supporter whose unseemly assault sparked mayhem at Tannadice.
Lewis, the Aberdeen keeper, watched from afar as Belgian midfielder Ojo received a controversial second yellow card from Madden on the stroke of half time in Saturday’s Premiership encounter.
Just minutes earlier, United midfielder Calum Butcher had been dismissed for raising his hand towards visiting striker Christian Ramirez.
Ojo had previously been booked, and after squaring up to the home fan after his momentum had thrust him into the crowd behind Benjamin Siegrist’s goal, Madden felt he merited another yellow, leaving both sides to contest the second half with just 10 men before United’s Ian Harkes’ 80th-minute strike proved decisive.
Stephen Glass, the Aberdeen manager, was also ordered off for remonstrating with Madden in the tunnel at half time and Lewis was equally upset Ojo had been dismissed.
“I was a long way away from it,” the former Norwich City and Cardiff City keeper said. “But it seemed that the fan has assaulted Funso.
“I am told Funso hasn’t done a lot in terms of reacting. It is a natural reaction to face up and nothing more.
“For me, I would like the referee to protect the players in that situation. He has not run into the crowd. He has found himself there from a natural bit of play. Those are my initial thoughts.
“He is at the edge of the crowd but he hasn’t approached the guy.
“It is a derby and a hostile atmosphere, a great one but no matter what happens, if a player finds himself in the crowd: a) he doesn’t get assaulted and b) the referee has to look after the player, first and foremost.”
A 35-year-old man was yesterday arrested and charged in connection with the assault, while United also launched an internal investigation into the matter.
Lewis believes the Tayside club must issue appropriate punishment.
“If he has assaulted him then I would expect that,” stated Lewis. “If that was the case then I would fully expect that.
“It depends on the velocity of the push. If it was an aggressive shove, like it initially looked, you would hope so.
“I am sure they will. Dundee
United are a professional football club and they will deal with things in the correct manner.”
Meanwhile, Harkes savoured his winning goal which propelled Tam Courts’ side into joint third-top place with Hearts on goal difference.
“I was definitely happy to get that moment in a game that had everything,” said the 26-year-old.
“It was a dramatic end to the game but it was a dramatic start to the game as well.
“The crowd got going on both sides and it was a great atmosphere. The fans stayed with us the whole game and the boys showed great character to get the result.”