FANS were left stunned after a fierce sliding challenge in the Lancashire derby between Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers resulted in nothing more than a yellow card.
Preston midfielder Benjamin Whiteman launched himself into a low challenge on Blackburn winger Moussa Baradji, catching him at ankle height in what many supporters immediately feared could have been a leg-breaking moment.
Baradji collapsed to the turf in agony as players rushed in from all directions, with tempers flaring and shouts erupting around the Deepdale.
The Blackburn winger eventually managed to stand but he was visibly shaken and moved cautiously during the minutes that followed as medical staff kept a close eye on him.
Referee Paul Tierney opted to show only a yellow card, a decision that triggered fury both inside the stadium and across social media.
Fans argued the tackle was reckless, late and dangerous, insisting it met the criteria for a straight red.
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Outrage quickly spread on X, where supporters from both clubs vented their disbelief.
One posted: “Can’t believe Whiteman stayed on the pitch. That’s a red every day of the week.”
Another fan fumed: “If Baradji’s foot was planted, that’s his leg gone. Yellow card? Joke refereeing.”
Others accused the officials of losing control of the match, calling the incident “dangerous”, “unacceptable”, and “a warning sign for why VAR is needed in the Championship”.
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The controversy overshadowed an otherwise gripping game in which Blackburn deservedly won 2–1.
The win pushed Rovers up to 18th in the Championship table, providing badly needed momentum after a difficult run.
For Preston, the afternoon only grew worse. The defeat, combined with other results around the division, saw them slip from the top four down to fifth, frustrating fans who believed their side deserved more from the game.
Though Baradji completed the match, supporters and pundits alike continued to question why a potentially serious tackle had been punished so lightly.
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