Cardiff City manager Omer Riza believes James Durkin was overawed by his elevation from fourth official to referee as he sent off Callum Robinson against Coventry City.

Cardiff City began 2025 with a whirlwind clash against Coventry City which saw them reduced to 10 men and cling on for a point despite a second-half onslaught from the visitors. Alex Robertson began the new year in style by putting Cardiff ahead after just six minutes, but the game flipped on its head in the space of two minutes after the break.

Cardiff manager Omer Riza wants to appeal the red card handed out to Calum Robinson by replacement referee James Durkin in his side’s 1-1 home draw with Coventry. The Bluebirds dominated the first half and opened the scoring within six minutes with a goal from Alex Robertson.

Omer Riza believed the "moment got to the referee" after he brandished a red card to Callum Robinson, a moment which flipped the Cardiff City v Coventry City game on its head. Cardiff had controlled the first half and took a one-goal lead into the break thanks to Alex Robertson's early strike.