Coventry manager Mark Robins has accused Gustavo Hamer of having an “absolutely ridiculous” disciplinary record and said the midfielder needs to learn after his red card in the goalless draw with Birmingham at St Andrew’s.
Hamer now faces a four-match ban after his second dismissal in five games in just over a month after also seeing red in a 3-2 defeat at Millwall on August 13.
The 25-year-old Brazilian-born Dutchman was given a direct red for appearing to send off Birmingham substitute Hannibal Mejbri when the two clashed on the ground.
Hamer has now been sent off three times for the Sky Blues and was cautioned 15 times last season.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous. We need everyone fit and available and then it happens. He has to learn,” Robins said.
“I didn’t see him at the time. I saw it afterwards and it looked like (Hannibal) Mejbri grabbed his legs and rolled over and you can’t really see what happened.
“But the eagle-eyed officials saw fit to send him off for violent conduct, so he misses four games.”
However, Robins is unlikely to appeal the decision.
“I don’t think it’s the first time. I will talk to the referee and see what he thought because I don’t think he saw it,” he added.
“It gives the referee – or someone – an image, and if he feels it’s not fair, you run the risk, don’t you?
“I think he (the referee) was told something on the touchline but I have no idea.”
As for the game, Robins felt his side should have won their first win in 11 since a 4-2 victory at St Andrew’s on April 15, 156 days ago.
“It was a brilliant first half from us and we really should have been three goals down with no real response from them,” he admitted.
Despite plenty of chances for Coventry in the first half, Birmingham had the best chances of the game but Juninho Bacuna, Scott Hogan and Auston Trusty were denied by goalkeeper Ben Wilson or missed the target.
Coventry forced seven attempts – including four from Hamer – in the first 24 minutes and 12 in the first half, while Birmingham goalkeeper John Ruddy had to make three saves.
Birmingham head coach John Eustace was happy with a point.
“In the first half we definitely had the best chance with Bacuna and he should have put it away,” he said.
“But overall a draw was a fair result. I’m glad for one thing. In the first half we were under a lot of pressure and we didn’t start well, although a lot of chances were at a distance.
“After Wednesday’s performance (3-2 win at West Brom) and the efforts of the lads at the Hawthorns, I always knew this game would be very difficult as Coventry are a very good team and are in a false position.
“Defensively we were much better in the second half and much more on the front foot and much more like ourselves.”
On Hamer’s sending off, Eustace said: “I think it was an incident off the ball. When we cleared it I was watching where we were actually attacking so I didn’t see it.
