St Mirren's Double Blow: Referee Error Costs Olusanya as Robinson Demands VAR Review

Controversial Dismissal Mars St Mirren's Draw

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has slammed the "double punishment" handed to his squad after striker Toyosi Olusanya was wrongly sent off during their 2-2 draw against Motherwell. The Scottish FA later admitted referee Grant Irvine erred in showing a second yellow card for Olusanya’s collision with Dan Casey—a decision that cannot be overturned under current rules.

Unreviewable Errors and League Implications

• Suspension Stands: Despite the admission, Olusanya will miss Saturday’s clash with Kilmarnock, as bookings are only reviewable for cases of mistaken identity or simulation.
• Robinson’s Fury: "We played 20+ minutes with 10 men, fought brilliantly, and were denied a win," said the manager, calling it the third wrongful dismissal against his team this season.
• League Impact: With three games left before the split, St Mirren trail sixth-placed Hearts by four points. "These decisions define league positions," Robinson emphasized.

A Pattern of Officiating Mistakes

Robinson highlighted two prior incidents involving defender Scott Tanser (vs. Motherwell and Ross County), labeling the recurring errors "incredible." He urged the league to implement VAR reviews for wrongful dismissals:

"When a red card is blatantly wrong, it should be reviewed. An apology doesn’t change the result."

Fan Reactions and Broader Debate

The incident has reignited discussions about refereeing standards in the Scottish Premiership, with fans and pundits demanding consistency. St Mirren supporters voiced frustrations on social media, citing the team’s hard-fought performances despite adversity.

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