Keith Hackett reacts to Connor Ogilvie’s red card controversy in Portsmouth’s match against Oxford United.

Portsmouth defender Connor Ogilvie was correctly sent off by referee Joshua Smith in their 2-2 draw with Championship relegation rivals Oxford United.

Former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee Keith Hackett told Football Insider that the Pompey player used excessive force and deserved to be sent off early at Fratton Park on Monday afternoon.

Ogilvie was sent off in the 17th minute for a reckless challenge on Oxford’s Stanley Mills, shortly after Keshi Anderson put the hosts ahead.

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho was incensed by the decision, as were their fans, and Oxford went ahead in the second half before Andre Dozzell’s late equaliser.

The defeat keeps Pompey barely outside the relegation zone with six games remaining, but they will be without important player Ogilvie for the next three due to the contentious call.

Keith Hackett supports Connor Ogilvie’s red card decision: ‘Well done referee’

Sky Sports pundits Tim Sherwood and Jamie Mackie both stated live on air that they believed Ogilvie deserved merely a yellow for the challenge.

It was undoubtedly high and strong, but some close to the hosts believed Mills made a meal of it, and a yellow would have sufficed given the enormity of the game.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former PGMOL manager Hackett applauded referee Smith and claimed that he made the correct decision in sending the Pompey left-back off owing to the forcefulness of his tackle.

He stated, “The referee judged this incident very accurately, with the sent off player Connor Ogilvie committing a serious foul play challenge.”

“He was off the ground, out of control, and employing excessive power, which plainly jeopardized his opponent’s safety. Red for sure; well done, referee.”

What did Mousinho say about Ogilvie being sent off?

Portsmouth will now be without their starting left-back for crucial games against Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town, and Leicester City.

Mousinho reacted angrily to the call, revealing that the club will challenge the decision, with backup left-back Zak Swanson still out injured.

He said: “In real time, I didn’t think anyone in the stadium, including Oxford, expected it to be red. If you look at their reaction, no one is requesting anything.

“If you’re going to accomplish something that momentous in a game like this, you have to be 100 percent certain. “We will definitely appeal.”