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ZelyeUrsuli
Thank you.
I understand your explanation thus: sometimes, as in my example, excuse could mean invalidate/make ineffective. Am I right?

Now that I think about it, this solution does make sense, but at the moment it didn't even occur to me, and I know why.
It would mean that the commentator didn't agree with that yellow card but I...

I've been listening to the Euro 2008 Holland-Russia radio commentary and was somewhat taken aback by the usage of a word "excuse".

"The thing is, that the linesman had already flagged for a goal...