Evan Boyce, the referee at the centre of last Tuesday’s Co Antrim Shield semi-final drama involving Cliftonville and Linfield appears to have been rested from Irish League duty, but it’s nothing to do with his handling of that evening’s penalty-shoot-out.
The experienced referee is not down to officiate at any game this weekend in the Danske Bank Premier, Lough41 Championship or Lough41 Premier Intermediate Leagues.
The decision appeared to have already been taken following last weekend’s incident at Mourneview Park when Mr Boyce dismissed Crusaders’ Robbie Weir in a case of mistaken identity.
On that occasion the referee showed what he felt was a second yellow card (and of course a red) to the Crusaders player, who actually hadn’t previously been booked.