Hamza sees controversial red card

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder criticised referee Oliver Langford after Bangladesh midfielder Hamza Choudhury was controversially sent off in a 3-2 Championship defeat to Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Sheffield recovered from a 2-0 deficit to level the contest, but conceded an 89th-minute winner. Their task became harder when Hamza received his second yellow card in the 44th minute, leaving the visitors with 10 men.

The midfielder was booked twice within nine minutes for fouls on Portsmouth winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, who is on loan from Chelsea. The decision to issue the second booking, however, drew strong objections from Wilder.

Kavuma-McQueen went down following a collision with Hamza while attempting a nutmeg. Wilder claimed Langford had initially indicated that Hamza would not be sent off before reversing his decision and producing a second yellow card.

“Where was Hamza supposed to go? Could he simply disappear into thin air?” Wilder said after the match, expressing frustration over what he viewed as inconsistent officiating. He also alleged that Sheffield's Sam McCallum had been blocked several times during the game.

Wilder further complained about an incident late in the match when one of his players was pulled inside the penalty area, claiming the player's shirt was nearly torn off.

“I saw the opposition players crowding around the referee, which can be part of gamesmanship. But I feel we have been treated unfairly,” he added.

Sheffield United remain 15th in the Championship standings with 12 points from 10 matches, trailing leaders Swansea City by 11 points. Hamza has featured in three matches for Sheffield this season but has yet to score.