‘Never seen anything like it’ – Truro City have been left in disbelief at a controversial sending off decision on Wednesday night.
Shaun Donnellan received a second yellow on the 53rd minute for re-entering the pitch without permission following injury treatment, despite manager John Askey insisting Donnellan was waved on by both the fourth official and assistant referee. Askey was also booked for his protests.
Truro tweeted: “Donnellan appears to be waved back on after treatment. He reenters play before the game is stopped, as the City man is shown a second yellow and a subsequent red after it’s revealed he hadn’t actually been given permission after all.”
Shaun Donnellan said in reply: “Never seen anything like it wowza”
The defeat left Truro sitting second-from-bottom in the National League table, a point off safety after 17 games of the season.
Never seen anything like it wowza https://t.co/HeYTteCpkv
— Shaun Donnellan (@shaun_donnellan) November 5, 2025
Truro said in the match report: “Tinners defender Shaun Donnellan, another Irishman, was sent off in bizarre circumstances.
“A remarkable set of events unfolded as Donnellan was hit by the ball in a rather delicate area. Bizarrely, the referee stopped play and waved on the City medical staff, citing a head injury, even though Donnellan, rather gingerly, had returned to his feet albeit with the wind knocked from his sails. Due to the referee calling for attention, the on-loan Livingston defender had to leave the field.
“He then appeared to have been waved on by the fourth official and one of the assistant referees, so duly stepped back onto the pitch.”
Solihull wrote in their match report: “Eight minutes into the second half, further devastation struck for Truro as their captain, Donnellan, was shown a second yellow card after re-entering the pitch too soon following treatment. The referee had waved for a free kick to be taken, and the centre-half mistakenly took it as his cue to return to play.”
Truro boss John Askey said: “I’ve not seen somebody get sent off for that before.
“It’s just a strange, strange decision and no common sense was applied I didn’t think.”
He added: “The red card just killed us really. I think everybody was just flabbergasted at what had happened.”
“The fourth official said when it reaches a certain time, then he could go back on, so Shaun took that as he could go on the pitch.
“The fourth official was stood with him, but surely she should stop the game, tell him to get back on.
“Rather than trying to keep players on the park it looks as though officials are more intent on trying to get people off.
“It just kills a game, but I don’t think that’s within the spirit of the game, doing things like that, referees booking people and sending them off, I just don’t don’t think it’s in the spirit of what football should be about.”
This is how fans on Twitter reacted with Truro left in disbelief at the controversial sending off decision…
@Wharlesy1: Couldn’t believe my eyes, think you’ve been excellent recently Shaun, sadly been let down again by officiating
@Alasdair333: Shockingly bad honestly couldn’t believe what I saw, referees always allowed to ruin games
@maxtalksfootbal: Same thing happened to me at Wrexham (a)! 🙈
@berwynfinlay: Embarrassing performance from the officials tonight, with a decision like that what chance have you got
@AnearHarvey: Couldn’t agree anymore
@moorsgriff: Moors fan here in peace, tbf to the ref the fourth official has stitched her up here as it looked like he told your lad to go back on not the ref 🤦♂️🤦♂️ Hope it’s rescinded for youse 👍👍
@twiskerIFA: Sounds as awful as the Aldershot keeper being sent off at Truro! (Later rescinded)
@lukeage_nffc: Just wow!
@Wharlesy1: Never in my life of watching football have I seen refereeing like this. Absolutely embarrassing.
@IS_RADIOCWALL: Absolute shambles!
@Jce9990Edwards: A crazy one. Got to feel for the bloke. Gets hit the balls. Physio called on by the ref even though he didn’t want it. Has to go off the pitch for very little treatment. Comes back on apparently without the ref saying ok and gets a second yellow. Not his best 2 minutes.
@72jamesk: I’m sorry but the ref is out of her depth..!
@_ljh23: This useless ref is in charge of Arsenal against Chelsea in the WSL Saturday, if that’s the state of WSL refs for that league I’m concerned for them
@LeoWerin: Max at Wrexham a few years ago repeating itself here.
