Juventus vs. Galatasaray: Kelly red card incident explained | OneFootball

Juventus defender Lloyd Kelly received a straight red card at the beginning of the second half of a Champions League match against Galatasaray as he ‘endangered the safety of his opponent.’

English defender Kelly was shown a straight red card at minute 48 of a Champions League knockout play-off second leg.

Why was Kelly sent off in Juventus vs. Galatasaray?

TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Lloyd Kelly of Juventus FC reacts after receiving a red card during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Juventus and Galatasaray A.S. at Juventus Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)

The Bianconeri were one goal up, but needed two more to level the score after a 5-2 defeat in Turkey last week.

Kelly went for an aerial duel with Alper Yilmaz and appeared to accidentally land on his opponent’s ankle.

The Juventus defender was already on a yellow card and was shown a second one, but Portuguese referee, Pinheiro, was still urged to the pitchside monitor to review the incident and ultimately decided to show a straight red, infuriating Luciano Spalletti and Juventus players.

TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Manuel Locatelli (2nd R) of Juventus FC takes a penalty kick to score his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Juventus and Galatasaray A.S. at Juventus Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)

UEFA then explained: “Juventus player, No. 6, using his studs, made a strong, unfair contact with the opponent’s left ankle, which clearly endangered the safety of his opponent.”

Kelly stormed off the pitch in anger and kicked a wall as he headed towards the tunnel.

Football Italia is among the accredited media at the Allianz Stadium tonight. You can follow the live action as it happens on the Football Italia live blog.