Adelaide United’s Paul Reid is a relieved man after his red card was rescinded by the Football Federation Australia’s match review panel.
The midfielder is free to face Wellington Phoenix at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday night.
Reid was shown a straight red card in United’s 0-0 draw with Gold Coast United on Wednesday night after a heavy collision left defender John Curtis concussed and stretchered off the field with his neck in a brace.
Reid admitted he was most concerned about the welfare of his opponent, but after reviewing the tape himself, suspected the suspension would be withdrawn.
“After the game, I saw the incident again and I had a feeling I would get off. It’s just one of those things that happen in football and I’m just glad John Curtis is alright,” Reid said.
“I gave him a call yesterday. He’s got a sore shoulder but his head and neck are fine. I’m most relieved about that really.”
“It was nice to see that the ref changed his report after the match the next day after seeing the incident.”
Reid admitted referee Chris Beath informed him he was about to be dismissed but waited five minutes before actually showing Reid the card and giving him his marching orders.
Reid visited Curtis after the match but didn’t speak about the challenge with the former Manchester United player who was still feeling the effects of the collision.
“He got knocked out and I went to see him after the game and he was still a bit concussed,” he said.
“I knew at the time there wasn’t much in it. The ref did say to me straight away that I was going to get sent off so I knew the fate before he actually gave me the card.”
Reid said with the match finely poised at 0-0, his expulsion in the 80th minute dented the Reds’ hopes of leaving Gold Coast with three points.
“It was an important part of the game,” he said.
“There were 10 minutes left and we could have gone on to win the game. But, to go down to 10 men at that time of the game was very crucial.”
