Tobias Figueiredo was given a straight red card for a controversial tackle on Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn when Nottingham Forest travelled to Villa Park on November 28. After the 5-5 game, Aitor Karanka said that the centre-back should feel “hard done-by” for the decision which suggested to many that Forest could appeal his three-match ban. However, the Reds opted again appealing and Figueiredo now has two more games to go before he can return.
Karanka spoke to Nottingham Live and revealed why, saying: “I do not know the rules, completely… but sometimes when you appeal a decision because you think you are in the right, you can find yourself with an additional game (suspension). With the games we had coming up, we tried to make the best decision. I said before the Ipswich game that he was hard done by. But he has a three-game ban and we still have to forget about him for the next two games.”
Forest had good grounds to appeal the red card. Figueiredo’s tackle on McGinn wouldn’t always garner him a red card in games, so Kararanka’s decision not to challenge the decision was surprising. Figueiredo’s absence has caused somewhat of a defensive crisis of late too, with Michael Dawson currently sidelined with a hamstring injury. Jack Robinson and Michael Hefele will have to partner one another at the heart of the backline on Saturday.
Figueiredo will be absent from forest’s weekend encounter and their big meeting with Derby on December 17. Dawson could be back in time, however, which is some consolation. The Reds have been in fine form of late, boasting three wins and two draws from their last five. In addition to keeping four clean sheets during this period, Karanka’s men are currently in the Championship playoffs.
