In a dramatic Champions League encounter, Juventus defender Lloyd Kelly was issued a straight red card during the second half of the knockout play-off match against Galatasaray. The incident occurred in the 48th minute, highlighting the tension of the contest.
Kelly’s Red Card Incident in Juventus vs. Galatasaray
The match took place on February 25, 2026, at Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy. At this stage of the game, Juventus was ahead by one goal, needing two more to overcome a 5-2 defeat from the first leg in Turkey.
Kelly’s red card stemmed from an aerial challenge against Galatasaray’s Alper Yilmaz. During this duel, Kelly accidentally landed on Yilmaz’s ankle, leading to a controversial decision by the match referee, Portuguese official Pinheiro.
Details of the Incident
Initially, Kelly had been cautioned earlier in the match, holding a yellow card. Following the review of the incident through VAR, the referee opted for a straight red card, which sparked outrage among Juventus players and head coach Luciano Spalletti.
- Match Date: February 25, 2026
- Location: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy
- Opponent: Galatasaray A.S.
- Champions League Stage: Knockout Play-off, Second Leg
- Caution Leading to Red: Second yellow card issued after VAR review
Following the decision, UEFA released a statement clarifying the rationale behind the card. They stated that Kelly’s use of studs made “strong, unfair contact” with Yilmaz’s ankle, which endangered the safety of the opponent.
Afterwards, an infuriated Kelly exited the field, visibly upset, and even kicked a wall as he marched towards the tunnel. This incident has drawn significant attention, underscoring the intense emotions involved in high-stakes matches.
The implications of this red card could affect Juventus’s strategy moving forward in the tournament, as they strive to recover from the first leg’s setback against Galatasaray.
