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Wolves fans have jokingly claimed that 'the beautiful game is dying' after referee Tony Harrington showed Joao Gomes a 'red circle' instead of a red card during their FA Cup tie against Brentford.
The midfielder was sent off in the ninth minute of the match after catching Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard on the heel with his studs.
Harrington's decision to send off the 22-year-old was subsequently confirmed by VAR, with the Brentford captain writhing on the ground in pain after the challenge.
The referee drew a 'red circle' instead of a traditional card, with the incident mocked on social media.
One fan wrote: 'A red circle instead of a red card. The beautiful game is dying.'
Fans have mocked referee Tony Harrington online for showing Joao Gomes a 'red circle' instead of a red card during Wolves' FA Cup match against Brentford
Gomes caught the heel of Brentford captain Christian Norgaard in the ninth minute of the match
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“More angry about the red circle than the decision,” said another.
Some were disappointed by the decision, with one claiming: 'It should have been a yellow circle, not a red circle.'
According to a referee forum, circles are used instead of cards to assist players and spectators who may not be able to distinguish colors.
“The round and oval cards were originally introduced to help players who could not distinguish between the suits,” he says the referee chat forum explained it.
'It was also to help the referee who wanted to pull out the quick card, with the shape telling him which card he was pulling out.'
Fans have also branded the dismissal decision as 'harsh', with the Brazilian receiving the first red card of his professional career.
Fans took to social media with some claiming the 'beautiful game is dead' after the referee showed a 'red circle' instead of a card
For Gomes it was the first red card of his professional career and he now risks a three-match suspension
With the numbers not matching up, Brentford took advantage of their situation.
Neal Maupay put the home side ahead, taking advantage of a bad ball from a corner to punch the ball into the top right corner to put the Bees 1-0 ahead in the 41st minute.
Depending on whether Gary O'Neil's side appeal the red card, Gomes is now likely to receive a three-match ban.
He has already served one suspension this season and missed the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Emirates after picking up five yellow cards in the first half of the 2023/2024 season.