QPR’s appeal against Cirkin red card rejected
QPR have been unsuccessful with an appeal against Dennis Cirkin’s red card during Saturday’s draw at home to Preston.
The left-back was sent off after clattering into Leo Leroy.
Rangers challenged the decision, arguing that Cirkin had won the ball.
Julien Stephan’s side were 1-0 down at the time and conceded a second goal, but battled back with 10 men to draw 2-2 and earn a point.
Kwane Poku pulled a goal back and Paul Smyth scored a 90th-minute equaliser.
Meanwhile, QPR are assessing an injury suffered by Richard Kone while playing for the development side on Monday.
[Sassy_Social_Share]
Ramona 
Denis Stevenson 
Steve Finch 
24/09/2026 @ 11:07 am
It’s a frustrating outcome for QPR, especially after the team fought back to earn a 2-2 draw with ten men. Cirkin’s challenge clearly became a major turning point in the match, and the club obviously felt there was enough doubt to appeal the decision. With the appeal now rejected, QPR will have to move forward and focus on the positives from that comeback, particularly Poku’s goal and Smyth’s late equaliser. Hopefully the team can maintain that fighting spirit in the next few matches. After all the football drama, I’d probably unwind with meccha chameleon .
23/09/2026 @ 10:58 am
I am appalled at this decision, as there was no contact when winning the ball, it the momentum that took the player down and if you look closely enough you can see that there was very little contact whatsoever 🤬
23/09/2026 @ 9:38 am
My final sentence was perhaps a little harsh. Players are *expected* not to overreact to the loss of possession. Whether that is a reasonable rule or not is another matter.
23/09/2026 @ 9:27 am
I think the counter-argument to Steve Finch’s point might be as follows.
In modern football, it is no defence that the player got the ball first before the man. Nor is it a defence that he couldn’t stop himself before the collision. The rule is (now) that if you won’t be able to stop yourself from making dangerous contact with the opponent, you just shouldn’t start.
These situations arise most often (as was the case with Cirkin) when a player miscontrols the ball and dives in after it in an attempt to atone for the error. All too often, we see a card as the result: sometimes yellow, sometimes red. Players need to learn not to overreact to the error of lost possession.
22/09/2026 @ 6:14 pm
well that surprises me, as there is no way that was a Red Cards, he won the ball and upon winning the ball the momentum of sliding carried him through the player as well, how was he meant to stop his momentum? I gotta say the standard of refereeing this season so far, has been appalling, the Ref on Saturday was very bad.