QPR boss explains Jack Colback’s Sheffield United red card and asked about Ilias Chair’s injury return

Marti Cifuentes explained that Jack Colback’s sending off in the 2-2 draw against Sheffield United was the result of two yellow cards for dissent.

The experienced midfielder was booked twice in the space of four minutes after taking issue with a decision made by referee Anthony Backhouse.

Colback, who came on as a half-time substitute, received the second yellow for remonstrating with the fourth official while Rangers were still 2-1 down.

“I spoke with him and spoke with the officials,” said Cifuentes.

“It seems that, according to Jack, one of the Sheffield United players who already had a yellow card was asking for a yellow card – showing his hand – and that, according to the rules, is a yellow card.

“So instead of a red card for Sheffield United, it goes the other way.

“It’s true for the second one he was still asking. I asked him what was going on and why he was getting mad, and I took responsibility because he came very close to the fourth official, and he thought it was a second yellow, which for me was very harsh.

“Refereeing for me is very difficult and perhaps this situation had a big effect on the game.

“We need to understand that the players are human beings, and they can make some mistakes.

“I don’t think that he came in a bad way or a disrespectful well, but definitely, I will have a talk with him on Tuesday when we are back.”

A further disappointment for Cifuentes was a first-half injury for midfielder Lucas Andersen.

The Danish playmaker had to be substituted after injuring his groin while taking a corner, and the QPR head coach suggested that the issue was a possible muscle problem.

A further concern for Cifuentes are test results of Ilias Chair’s back injury which came back on Friday.

“We thought it could be less aggressive, but unfortunately, it is a lower back issue that will keep him away for some more weeks still,” said the QPR boss.

“I am not a doctor, and usually even doctors are not great about giving an exact date [for Chair to return].

“We need to assess it every day and every week how he is doing.

“Unfortunately the tests showed the development was more or less what we expected.

“I am always optimistic. I thought it could perhaps be a faster process but that’s the reality. It’s a bone bruise and it takes time to heal.”