Former Hearts youngster Aaron Hickey has been defended by Sassuolo boss Roberto de Zerbi after he was sent off.
The Bologna defender was shown a straight red card after VAR intervened during the Serie A clash on Saturday night.
But his opposition boss insisted it was a terrible decision and the former Tynecastle kid didn’t deserve to be dismissed.
The initial incident wasn’t even given as a free kick and de Zarbi insists any football-minded person wouldn’t have seen it as a red.
Reported by the Scottish Sun, he said: "The game was affected by the sending off, which I want to say, in my view was not a red card. Unfortunately, we too have paid for incidents like that with the rules as they currently are.
"I am always honest whether it's in our favour or against us. Anyone who has played football cannot think that is a red card offence. Hickey was late, but Muldur had prodded the ball away and that made it look much worse.
"He was going for the ball and the ball had gone. It always looks worse on a replay or a still image, but it was a natural movement."
Hickey had only been sent off once before, while playing for Hearts against Aberdeen last season.
And Sinisa Mihaljovic was fuming that his player was sent off and claimed VAR is ruining football.
He said: "I'm very angry about the sending off. It completely changed the game.
"The ref didn't see it as a foul, but he was still sent off. It ruined the game."
