LEWIS SAYS DONS STAR DESERVED PROTECTION

Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis believes Funso Ojo did not receive enough protection from match officials at Tannadice.

Belgian midfielder Ojo was sent off by referee Robert Madden following an altercation with a Dundee United supporter.

Police Scotland confirmed yesterday a 35-year-old man has been charged following the incident.

Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass was also red carded by referee Madden in the tunnel at half-time.

Lewis said: “For me, I would like the referee to protect the player in that situation. He has not run into the crowd. He has found himself there from a natural bit of play.”

Asked if there had been an explanation from referee Madden regarding the second yellow, and dismissal of Ojo, club captain Lewis said: “You don’t normally get an explanation from refs.”

The dismissal means Ojo is suspended for Sunday’s Premiership clash against Celtic at Parkhead.

Aberdeen cannot appeal the sending off as it was a second yellow card.

Lewis said: “You can’t appeal it.

“There are certain circumstances but I doubt we will be able to appeal that.

“We just need to get some boys back from injury. Lewis Ferguson will also be back from his suspension and we have a massive game on Sunday.”

Aberdeen dropped to eighth in the Premiership table and are now nine points behind Dundee United.

Lewis said: “It is so frustrating, because they went down to 10 men.

“We had the whole second half to capitalise on that but then our sending off changed that.

“In between the middle of the pitch we were all right, not bad, had some good attacks. But the final ball wasn’t good enough.

“There was nothing of note from both teams to warrant a goal, apart from a delivery from a corner which we don’t clear and they get a shot away which is the difference between the teams.

“It doesn’t matter what you do in terms of the middle of the pitch if you don’t do the bit at either end of the pitch and that’s what happened.”