Portsmouth Football Club News

• Nickname:Pompey
• Founded:1898
• Manager:Michael Appleton

• Ground:Fratton Park
• Capacity:19,179

Shirt rule baffles Pompey boss

14 Dec 2009 - 11:10:57

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Portsmouth boss Avram Grant has called on the game's lawmakers to relax the rule which led to Younes Kaboul's red card in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland.

The defender saw red at the Stadium of Light after receiving a second yellow card from referee Steve Bennett for taking off his shirt while celebrating his last-gasp equaliser at the Stadium of Light.

"It's a silly red card, but it's a silly rule and I think it should be changed," said Grant, who will now be without Kaboul for Wednesday's trip to Chelsea.

"Maybe someone can explain to me why we have this rule. What happens if someone takes their shirt off? Does it damage someone? Does it disturb someone? Is someone angry?

"I think one guy at FIFA woke up one morning and decided to change the rules. But this is the rule so what can I do?"

However, Grant has admitted that Kaboul should have known better than to peel off his jersey in celebration.

He added: "If a player scores in the last minute, of course he needs to control himself.

"But I don't think some of the supporters could control themselves - everybody was happy and wanted to celebrate."