Jo Potter red card rescinded after Rangers Women v Celtic controversy
Jo Potter’s controversial red card on the touchline for Rangers Women against Celtic has been rescinded, the club have confirmed.
The Gers Women posted on X (1 February) to confirm that after Potter was shown a straight red card in the second half of their 2-1 win over Celtic on 19 January, the decision has now been overturned.
Referee Abbie Hendry gave Potter her marching orders for allegedly holding up play prior to a Light Blues throw-in being taken, leaving the coach and her players baffled before they saw out the victory.
However, Potter’s dismissal being rescinded means she won’t serve any form of suspension after the Gers reached the Sky Sports Cup final.
Justice done for Jo Potter and Rangers Women
Had the Gers’ Women been forced to play out the Sky Sports Cup Final on 22 March without their manager in the dugout, plenty of criticism would have come the SFA’s way regarding Potter’s red card.
Hendry and the refereeing team against Celtic had already caused enough bafflement for their initial call – sending Potter off for briefly speaking to winger Lizzie Arnot – and a ban would have been huge overkill.
Winning Old Firm games had been hard to come by for Bears sides at all levels prior to last month, with Potter replicating Philippe Clement’s side producing a watershed victory at Ibrox on 3 January.
However, while the men’s 3-0 win barely made a dent in the Premiership title race, Potter’s side will face Hibernian in the Sky Sports Cup final at Tynecastle having edged their arch-rivals 2-1.
Facing Hibs in the capital will be a tall order for the Gers Women, but with Potter now set to be in the dugout, they’ve got the best possible chance of collecting more silverware.
In other Rangers news, Nils Koppen has taken a six-figure fee off the weekly wage bill at Ibrox after two exits were confirmed.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.