The devastating moment EPL referee made controversial decision

Premier League referee Lee Probert’s decision to book Demarai Gray for taking his shirt off in celebrating his winner for Leicester City against Cardiff City has provoked a storm of criticism.

But Leicester manager Claude Puel has defied the controversy to accept the yellow card handed to his goal-scoring player.

The occasion was charged with emotion following the death of Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in a helicopter crash immediately after the club’s match last Saturday.

Before kickoff a wreath was laid and Leicester’s team linked arms for an immaculately observed a minute’s silence when a huge tribute banner was unfurled among the 3,000 visiting supporters.

The game turned on Gray’s 55th-minute goal, which sparked wild scenes.

The 22-year-old immediately whipped off his top to reveal an undershirt saying “For Khun Vichai” in memory of the Thai billionaire.

Gray’s teammates joined him in front of the away contingent, many of whom also sported t-shirts honouring their former owner.

But the mood changed when referee Probert followed the letter of the law and booked Gray under a mandatory FIFA rule that says players must not remove their shirt over their head.

Footage of Gray’s celebration showed Probert’s concern in the background, an uneasy smile hinting he was aware of what was to come.

The decision was roundly criticised by football fans – with a relatively low portion of viewers defending the whistleblower.

Leicester’s Puel, who had told all of his players they did not have to play if they were not emotionally ready, was one who understood the decision.

“We played like professionals and it was important for the referee to be professional too,” he said.

Former referee Peter Walton told BT Sport he had “every sympathy” with Probert.

“Sometimes referees have to do what they have to do and in this instance the law is quite clear on it,” he said.

“If a player removes his shirt for religious slogans or anything of that nature then he’s cautioned. I could see Lee Probert thinking ‘oh no, why has he done that?’ He’s going to be the villain of the piece in a game where everybody’s eyes are focused on something else.”

Asked if he could have just turned around and pretended not to have seen it, Walton said: “Yes, but then he’d have to explain his actions on Monday morning and he probably didn’t want to do that.”

Amid Football journalist and presenter Jacqui Oatley said it was a “no-win situation”

with Reuters