There was controversy in the Peaky Blinder Irish Cup semi-final on Tuesday as Larne beat Crusaders 6-5 in a penalty shootout.
Crusaders goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey received two yellow cards and was sent off for stepping off his line before penalties were struck.
With the score level at 3-3, Tuffey saved a penalty from Andrew Mitchell but it was ordered to be retaken by referee Shane Andrews after his assistant adjudged that the keeper moved off his line too early. Mitchell scored the retaken kick.
Tuffey was shown his first card after stopping Josh Robinson's penalty with the score at 4-4 and was then sent off after again stepping off his line too early for the retaken kick.
Defender Billy Joe Burns stepped into goal for Crusaders after Tuffey was shown the red card.
The shootout ended with a 6-5 victory for Larne when Gary Thompson's shot hit the crossbar.
"I'm embarrassed for the game. A game I love," Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter told BBC.
"To send a goalkeeper off in a penalty shootout at that moment in the game is a very sad day for football. It's a very, very, very sad day for football."
Following the game - which had finished 1-1 in normal time - Crusaders announced that they would be taking legal advice regarding the defeat.
"Crusaders FC regret to announce that the club has tonight appointed counsel in relation to today’s penalty shoot out at Mourneview Park," the club said in a statement.
"The club will expedite any actions as quickly as possible to minimise any disruption to the Peaky Blinders Irish Cup Final, but it should be noted that Crusaders FC will take whatever action necessary to remedy the current situation.
"Our actions are in no way directed at our friends at Larne Football Club.
"We owe it to our players, manager and backroom staff, members and supporters to take this action."
BBC report that the Irish FA have backed the referee's decisions.
Larne are scheduled to face Linfield in Friday's final. Linfield beat Ballymena 3-0 in Monday's other last four game.
⚽ Penalties drama as @LarneFC make it through to the @sdpeakyblinder Irish Cup final #SadlersPeakyBlinderIrishCup pic.twitter.com/bc9Kt6CbK8
— Irish FA (@IrishFA) May 18, 2021
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