STEW IT OVER
Michael Stewart APOLOGISES to referee over live TV outburst as it’s revealed colleague text ‘you’ve called that wrong’
Despite saying sorry, he also provided a major caveat
MICHAEL STEWART was absolutely furious with referee Nick Walsh on Sunday afternoon.
But the pundit has now said SORRY to the official over his commentary outburst.
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Former Hearts midfielder Stewart was on co-commentary duties alongside Rory Hamilton on Premier Sports as the Jambos faced Dundee United in a huge Scottish Premiership clash.
Jim Goodwin's United emerged victorious thanks to Sam Dalby's second-half header.
That goal came long after a major turning point towards the end of the first-half at Tynecastle.
Hearts wonderkid James Wilson was sent off after just 38 minutes after a lunging challenge on Luca Stephenson.
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Referee Nick Walsh was straight out with the red card - and Stewart wasn't happy at all.
As soon as the card emerged from the top pocket, Stewart blasted: "Get a grip! Get a grip! I mean, I'm thinking to myself, you don't need to book him for this.
"I mean, come on!
"The replay may tell us something else but looking at that in real time, it just does not look like that is a red card incident at all.
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The replays then began to roll, with Stewart doubling down and saying: "No chance. Not for me."
Stewart continued to rail against the decision.
Darrell Currie returns to screens after illness with cheeky pop at Michael Stewart
While few would argue that there was any malice in Wilson's challenge, his outstretched leg with studs showing caught Stephenson high on his leg.
Even Hearts boss Neil Critchley admitted after the game it was the correct decision.
So after more than a day to stew over the situation, had Stewart changed his mind?
Well, the answer is sort of.
Appearing on the Scottish Football Social Club, the red card was brought up in discussion and presenter Darrell Currie was keen to see if Stewart had mellowed his views on the decision.
Currie asked: "Just on the red card, you made quite a statement on commentary, you were unequivocal that the ref made a mistake and you do't want to see reds given for challenges like that.
"We've all given refs and VAR a heck of a hard time but 24 hours on, Michael, do you stand by what you said or have you softened a little?"
Stewart replied: "Are you trying to say that your text messages within five minutes have calmed me down?"
Currie then revealed that he had text Stewart in the moments following the decision, telling him: "I'm not sure you've called that one right."
Currie added: "I don't think it looked that good, particularly on that low replay, and when somebody tackles like that, I think in this day and age, you're going to see a red card. I don't know Michael, have you changed your stance?"
Stewart then said SORRY to referee Walsh and admitted his initial assessment of the incident was incorrect.
However - he DID caveat the situation.
Stewart responded: "What I would say Darrell is, I will hold my hands up and apologise to the referee in regards of I don't think it was a horrendous decision.
"I don't think it was a horrendous decision."
Currie joked: "I'm just going to write down the time and the date here."
While Alan Hutton added: "I never thought I'd see the day, apologies!"
Stewart then continued: "There's a but, there's a big but! I think a yellow would have sufficed personally but I don't think it was a horrendous decision from the ref.
"I think it's a borderline call that could've gone either way. So apologies to the ref Nick Walsh, i don't think it was horrendous as I thought.
"Having said all that, I've got to be honest, I think he went on to have a pretty bad game in general.
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"But on that instance, which was clearly the biggest one of the game, I don't think it was a horrific decision which I initially did. Even when I was looking back at the replays, I still thought it was a bad call.
"I don't think it is, but I still do think that a yellow card would've sufficed personally."
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