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Grant returns to Pompey

Grant bemoans 'stupid' rule

Published: Sunday, 13 December 2009, 8:26AM

Portsmouth boss Avram Grant blasted football's lawmakers after seeing Younes Kaboul sent off for celebrating his last-gasp equaliser at Sunderland.

The Frenchman was booked for removing his shirt and, having already been cautioned for a foul, was given his marching orders by referee Steve Bennett after snatching a point at the Stadium of Light with a 93rd-minute leveller.

Grant said: "It's a silly red card - it's a silly rule, it's a stupid rule. If someone can explain this rule to me...

"What happens if someone takes their shirt off? Does it damage someone, does it disturb someone, does it make someone angry?

"I think someone one day woke up in the morning at FIFA and decided to change the rule.

"A player scoring in the last minute, of course you need to control yourself, but I don't think even some of the supporters could control themselves.

"Everybody was happy, everybody celebrated, so he took his shirt off.

"He [Kaboul] apologised, not many times I understand, but in this case, I understood.

"You need to control yourself, but it's not easy sometimes.

"All our bench celebrated and took their shirts off - if you see the belly of the kitman..."