\n<\/p>\n
Former Premier League defender Curtis Davies said the decision was an “absolute disgrace”.<\/p>\n
“Kelly goes up for a header, he’s gone for the header cleanly. His feet have to land on the ground somewhere,” he added on BBC Radio 5 Live.<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately, he lands on the player. There needs to be a level of understanding – where is he meant to put his feet? I understand Kelly’s frustration.”<\/p>\n
Davies’ sentiments were echoed by football journalist Rory Smith, who called the decision “awful” and a “disgrace”.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, former Tottenham midfielder Andy Reid felt football was “moving closer and closer to being a non-contact sport”.<\/p>\n
“There needs to be contact in football and sometimes people do get painful ones. It happens. There’s nothing you can do about that. It’s part of the game,” he said.<\/p>\n
According to Uefa rules, any player sent off by the referee – whether that is via two yellows or a straight red – is automatically suspended for the next match in European club competition.<\/p>\n
However, in light of Juventus’ exit from the Champions League, Kelly’s suspension will carry over to next season.<\/p>\n
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha added: “If I was Kelly I’d be really disappointed, but with how football works, it’s always going to be a red.”<\/p>\n
But former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock disagreed.<\/p>\n
“I don’t agree with it because it is purely accidental. I understand the yellow card, but not the red,” he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n