Semi Ajayi was sent off in his side, West Brom’s Premier League game at Turf Moor against host, Burnley. The Nigerian handled the ball and was adjudged to have denied scoring opportunity to the host on 30 minutes.
It was Ajayi’s first red card in the Football League or Premier League, in his 186th appearance, including playoffs. Prior to the game, the Super Eagles defender has been cautioned just thrice in the Premier League and once in the FA Cup.
It was also the fourth red card in the Premier League this season for West Brom, only Arsenal have had more (5).
Former Tottenham Garth Crooks felt sorry for Ajayi after referee flashed the red card.
”His (Ajayi’s) hand has acted almost involuntarily, it is definitely handball but I feel desperately sorry for him.
I can’t see how he would have got out of the way of that one?,’ he said.
The game was the Nigerian’s 24th Premier League game in his 24th appearance.
Ajayi made his Premier League debut this term last September in the team’s 3-0 bashing by Leicester City at the Hawthorns and since then the Nigerian has featured in 24 of the 25 Premier League matches his club have played this term.
Interestingly, the only game the former Rotherham defender missed was the 0-0 draw against Burnley at the Hawthorns last October with the Nigerian an unused substitute in the game.
Ajayi has also not featured against Burnley in an fixture in England since he started playing professional football and the he would be hoping to score again to add to the two he scored against Liverpool in a 1-1 draw at Anfield and in the 3-2 away win at Wolves.