The Scottish football community could be left debating a major refereeing controversy after St Johnstone forward Kai Fotheringham was shown a red card against Rangers. The incident has raised questions about the referee’s decision, the impact on the match, and whether further clarification is needed from the authorities.
For St Johnstone supporters, a dismissal in a high-profile fixture against Rangers can have serious consequences, particularly when the team is attempting to compete against one of Scotland’s biggest clubs. A red card can change the entire direction of a match, forcing a side to reorganise its tactics while giving the opposition an opportunity to take greater control.
However, it is important to distinguish between confirmed disciplinary decisions and speculation about an official response. Without a verified SPFL statement addressing Fotheringham’s dismissal, it would be misleading to claim that the governing body has announced a particular verdict or punishment.
What Happened During the Rangers vs St Johnstone Clash?
The incident occurred on Saturday, 24 October 2026, when Rangers welcomed St Johnstone to Ibrox for their Scottish Premiership encounter. Rangers eventually secured a convincing 4-0 victory, but Fotheringham’s dismissal became one of the major talking points after the match.
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Fotheringham entered the game at half-time as part of a triple substitution by St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari. The forward initially helped his side create opportunities after the interval, but his afternoon took a dramatic turn during the second half.
With Rangers leading 3-0, Fotheringham challenged Nicolas Raskin in an attempt to win the ball. Although he made contact with the ball first, his follow-through caught the Rangers player around the lower leg.
Referee Chris Graham initially did not show a red card. However, VAR official Andrew Dallas recommended an on-field review, prompting Graham to examine the footage on the pitchside monitor. After reviewing the incident, the referee changed his decision and dismissed Fotheringham.
The decision immediately became a subject of discussion, with different interpretations emerging over the seriousness of the challenge.
Why the Red Card Has Divided Opinion
Not everyone agreed that Fotheringham deserved to be sent off.
Former Scotland international James McFadden questioned the decision during BBC Sportscene coverage. He acknowledged that the point of contact looked concerning but argued that he did not see sufficient force to justify a dismissal.
Presenter and former footballer Steven Thompson also expressed doubts, suggesting that Fotheringham appeared to be trying to withdraw from the challenge after sliding in.
Their assessment contrasted with the view of former FIFA referee Keith Hackett, who supported the decision. Hackett argued that the high contact and the player’s lack of control made the challenge serious foul play, regardless of whether he touched the ball first.
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The disagreement illustrates why VAR incidents can generate such intense debate. Winning the ball does not automatically protect a player from a red card if the follow-through endangers an opponent.
What Did St Johnstone Manager Simo Valakari Say?
One of the most significant reactions came from Valakari himself.
Despite the disappointment of losing a player, the St Johnstone manager did not launch a furious attack on the officials. Instead, he acknowledged that the decision was understandable.
Valakari described the incident as unfortunate for Fotheringham but recognised that the player’s leg was high during the follow-through. He also indicated that he had no complaints about the dismissal.
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His response is particularly noteworthy because managers frequently challenge contentious refereeing decisions when they believe their teams have been treated unfairly.
In this case, Valakari’s comments suggested that, although he sympathised with his player, he could understand why the referee decided to send him off.
Has the SPFL Officially Announced Its Decision?
Despite headlines suggesting that the SPFL has broken its silence, I could not verify an official SPFL statement specifically addressing Fotheringham’s red card in the available reporting.
The confirmed developments are that VAR intervened, the referee reviewed the challenge, and Fotheringham was dismissed. The debate has continued because some television pundits considered the decision harsh, while other refereeing assessments supported it.
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It would therefore be premature to claim that the SPFL has overturned the decision, issued a punishment against the referee, or announced an additional sanction against Fotheringham.
Any disciplinary consequences beyond the dismissal itself would need to be confirmed by the relevant authorities.
Rangers Take the Victory as Debate Continues
Away from the controversy, Rangers completed an emphatic afternoon at Ibrox. Kevin Kelsy scored twice, Ryan Naderi added another goal, and substitute Tochi Chukwuani completed the 4-0 victory late in the match.
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For St Johnstone, the result was disappointing, and the dismissal made an already difficult afternoon more challenging.
The incident will remain a talking point among supporters because it raises an important question: should a player be dismissed when he wins the ball but subsequently makes dangerous contact with an opponent?
Ultimately, the referee judged the challenge to be serious enough for a red card after reviewing the footage.
Until an official SPFL announcement is verified, claims that the organisation has delivered a surprising verdict should be treated cautiously. The controversy is real, but the suggestion that the SPFL has issued a new official decision remains unconfirmed.