Oxford United boss David Kemp has leapt to the defence of Chris Hackett after the 17-year-old was sent off after just 20 minutes of Saturday's match at Bury, writes Mark Edwards.
Hackett was shown the red card by referee Mark Clattenburg for alleged use of his elbow on Bury's Chris Armstrong as the players challenged for a high ball.
Armstrong fell to the ground as if he had been shot, and a 21-man melee ensued.
After the situation had calmed down, Clattenburg called Hackett to one side and brandished a red card from his top pocket to the disbelief of the United players, fans and management.
Kemp later blasted the referee, and said that United are almost certain to appeal against the dismissal that would see Hackett receive a three-match ban, and rule him out of the local derby with Swindon on March 10.
"Saying that Chris Hackett is going to elbow somebody is like accusing the Pope of murder," Kemp fumed.
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