Crusaders chairman Ronnie Millar says he would have supported Stephen Baxter and his players if they had opted to down tools in Tuesday’s Irish Cup semi-final with Larne.
Boss Baxter appeared to beckon his players from the pitch after Crues keeper Jonny Tuffey was sent off in surreal scenes during a controversial penalty shootout at Mourneview Park.
The former Northern Ireland shot stopper picked up two bookings and a red card after being adjudged to have moved off his line while saving three spot kicks.
All three penalties were retaken and Larne went on to win the shootout 6-5 to progress to Friday night’s final with Linfield in Lurgan.
Asked if he would have supported a decision to walk off the pitch, Millar said: “Most certainly. I actually got up (from my seat) and said ‘bring them off Stephen’.
“The players are devastated. They put in a great shift only to be deprived by this decision.”
Asked if he had ever witnessed anything like Tuesday’s cup climax before, Millar said: “Never in my life. Have you?
“I’m sure if you went on Facebook or Twitter, the way people view this, they’ll say it’s a laughing stock.
“Our players down to a man played their socks off and they deserve better.
“We’ve had people and ex-players messaging us to say it was unbelievable.”
