Birmingham Metropolis’s opening purpose within the 2025/26 Championship season was controversially dominated out – leaving Troy Deeney livid.
The hosts thought that they had raced into an early lead of their eventual 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s on Friday night time towards Ipswich City.
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Kyogo Furuhashi – a summer time signing from Rennes – brilliantly lobbed Alex Palmer from the sting of the field to spark delirium amongst the house followers.
Nonetheless, referee Andrew Kitchen adjudged the Japan worldwide to have fouled Jacob Greaves within the build-up.
An extended ball was tossed ahead and Kyogo barely leaned into the centre-back, and earlier than the ball hit the again of the web, the whistle blew.
Enormous boos rang across the stadium, with Deeney left in disbelief by the match official’s determination.
What did Troy Deeney say concerning the referee’s determination?
Talking on talkSPORT’s dwell commentary alongside Joe Shennan and Adrian Durham, he mentioned: “We’re simply watching the replay.
“Simply watch how little contact Kyogo makes right here.
“Greaves let’s it bounce. He tries to let it go over his head. It hits his heel, and he is already blew the whistle.
“However they’re the issues that go for you as a newly-relegated Premier League crew.
“That ought to be a purpose, that ought to be 1-0 Birmingham, however once more, the referee has given a foul each time somebody touches somebody.
“This isn’t a Premier League recreation. That is the Championship, there’s extra physicality, and that ought to be a purpose.”
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Simply moments after the controversial incident, Kitchen then waved away an nearly an identical problem from Greaves on Kyogo.
It left the Birmingham followers incensed, with Deeney of the opinion they’ve each proper to really feel aggrieved.
He remarked: “The referee is in for a very lengthy night time right here.
“The best way he is refereed these first eight minutes has induced himself a lot hassle.
“The foul for the purpose was a transparent play-on, and once more, he is simply blowing at every little thing.”
Kitchen then booked Vibrant Osayi-Samuel and Jack Taylor after a heated confrontation in the midst of the park.
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However it was the Kyogo determination that dominated the primary half, with Sky Sports activities’ Don Goodman additionally left baffled.
He mentioned: “Even when the whistle has gone. What a end.
“Birmingham can really feel aggrieved. That could be a actually poor determination.”
The Blues finally took the lead by way of Jay Stansfield’s opener within the fifty fifth minute.
However Ipswich levelled up the scoring from the penalty spot within the fifth minute of stoppage time.