(Credit: Imago, Getty)

Ciaran Morrison

Fri 8 August 2025 22:13, UK

Birmingham City could have got off to the perfect start to life back in Championship, but Kyogo’s goal was wrong disallowed according to a PGMOL insider.

Exclusive: Winner named in Ipswich Town and Birmingham City race to sign striker	Birmingham and Ipswich stars 'will be charged' after mass confrontation - PGMOL insider	Chelsea could miss out on Club World Cup after FIFA's Liverpool upset, major clash on cards

The Blues welcomed Championship football back to St Andrews after spending last season in League One, but had to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town.

Jay Stansfield netted the first goal of the new Championship season in the second half, only for the hosts to be denied victory by an added-time Ipswich penalty.

Striker Kyogo was making his debut after joining Birmingham from Rennes this summer and the Japanese international had the ball in the net after just seven minutes only to see if disallowed, in what was a crucial moment in the game.

Kyogo was making his Birmingham City debut.

Despite his move to Rennes not working out, Kyogo was trusted by Birmingham manager Chris Davies to lead the line against Ipswich, with Jay Stansfield playing deeper.

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

St Andrews briefly erupted before the referee blew his whistle for a foul on the defender from Kyogo and chalked the goal off.

Hackett believes the goal should have stood: “There was minimal contact between two opposing players the ball falling kindly to the Birmingham City player who lobbed the ball over the Ipswich Town goalkeeper with skill to score.

“The referee disallowed the goal and restarted the game with a free kick to Ipswich Town.

“No offence for me and Andrew Kitchen making an unusual error of judgment.”

Hackett also added: “Amazed that the half time analysis supported the disallowed goal by stating that there was contact.

Football is a contact sport.”

Birmingham’s strong start to the game could have been rewarded with Kyogo’s goal and with the electric atmosphere before kick-off in the stadium, it could have become a tall order for Ipswich.

Instead, the visitors were able to slow the game down and ease their way into the match, taking the sting out of a strong home start.

The Blues remained on top throughout the half, with Kyogo continuing to show his expert movement in and around the box, but they were unable to find the goal before half-time to give them an advantage going into the second half.

Ultimately, Kyogo’s goal not standing cost Birmingham all three points.

Related Posts