The National Women’s Soccer League’s Independent Review Panel has once again overturned a red card, this time for Sam Staab of the Washington Spirit.
Early on in Sunday’s game between the Spirit and Gotham FC, Staab was issued a red card for a foul just outside of the box.
Early red for the @WashSpirit after this foul 🟥#WASvNJNY | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/Cee218GC3p— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 18, 2021
Early red for the @WashSpirit after this foul 🟥#WASvNJNY | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/Cee218GC3p
Washington appealed the red card successfully upon review, which determined that Staab “had not denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.” Staab is now eligible to play this weekend after all disciplinary action was rescinded.
It’s a tough streak for the league’s referees, who have been called out by many for their inconsistencies. A string of retractions by the league’s Independent Review Panel seems to be an implicit acknowledgement from the league that the referees are getting it wrong.