Dover Athletic defender Kevin Lokko delighted to see his red card against Bromley overturned
00:00, 22 January 2019
Kevin Lokko says he's delighted to have had his red card against Bromley rescinded after admitting to being 'gobsmacked' he was sent off in the first place.
The centre-half certainly went through the full gamut of emotions in Saturday's 1-1 draw, heading Dover in front with his fifth goal of the season before his dismissal, which came during a mass melee 18 minutes into the second half.
Referee Adrian Quelch sent off Dover midfielder Bedsente Gomis following the incident during which Bromley's Jack Holland went to ground, and moments later reached for red again to dismiss Lokko, leaving Whites down to nine.
Video footage suggested that Lokko was acting as peacemaker rather than agitator and on Monday the 23-year-old heard the decision had been overturned on appeal.
He was given the news in a phone call from club secretary Frank Clarke on returning to his east London home after training.
Lokko said: "I'm glad that it was sorted so quickly but I guess when they saw the video footage it was fairly obvious I hadn't done anything.
"It's not in my nature to strike someone and I'm glad that, in that respect, I've been vindicated.
"It doesn't help the team because we ended up playing with nine and we can't replay the game but at least I can look forward to being involved this weekend (at Havant)."
Lokko explained that his sole intention when he entered the Bromley penalty area during the melee was to try and placate the situation.
He added: "There was an altercation in the box, and both teams have gone over to try and separate players and stick up for their team-mates.
"It all happened really quickly. I don't know if contact was made (between Bedsente and Holland) but their player went down.
"Because I was right next to him I put my hand out to try and separate them and for some crazy reason the fourth official thinks I've hit him in the face.
"The ref made the decision to send off Bedsente but the fourth official told him it was me.
"I was gobsmacked, the ref has sent two players off for same incident which is ridiculous. I've never seen that happen before.
"When I spoke to Jack Holland after the game he was just as shocked as I was (about the sending off). He knew I had no role in it."
Lokko says he has only ever had two or three red cards in his career – and never for violent conduct.
He added: "That's not the sort of person I am. At the time it happened all I had in my head was 'I'm going to miss games' which is a massive knockback.
"I had mixed emotions at the end. I'd scored the goal which I was pleased about and it was great that we got a point but the fact that I'd had been unjustly sent off took over all my emotions.
"I stood there in the shower and I was in shock. I couldn't believe what had happened."