Former Moyne Rangers Player Controversially Sent Off In Ireland U-17 International Game

The Irish u-17 football team were playing Czech Republic this evening…

The game ended 1-1 apiece, but despite the pulsating encounter and the skills on show, it is a controversial decision made by the referee which has gained national headlines.

Festy Ebolese, a former Moyne Rangers player and a current player with Frank Lampard’s Derby County, was involved in a controversial sending off:

Festy Ebosele sent off in controversial circumstances for the Ireland U-17 team in the closing minutes of their European Championship 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic. pic.twitter.com/sWl4F5DqGi— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 6, 2019

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As shown in the video, the contact was minimal and it was something that quite clearly annoyed the young Ireland international, as he kicked the water bottle and threw the jersey onto the ground on his way to the tunnel.

Following the game, Ireland’s manager Colin O’Brien denounced the referee’s poor decision and the actions of the Czech Republic captain.

“It is the wrong decision and we will be appealing that,” said O’Brien, speaking to RTE Sport following the game.

“The referee has been cheated, the game has been cheated. It was embarrassing what the player did.I will not be accepting one of my players suffering from someone cheating.”

As a result of the two yellow-cards, Festy will now miss Ireland’s final group-game on Thursday against Belgium.