why cant i give a red thumb?

[qwertasdfg]

So, i played a game against a player (http://en.boardgamearena.com/#!player?id=3272664) who was a very sore loser, as soon as it was obvious he might lose the game he wanted to abandon (he even admitted that was the only reason for the abandoning). As everyone else didn't want to, we had to wait and expel him. He even gave red to all the players in the game for not abandoning.

But I wasn't able to give him a red thumb (beginner's protection). As he really wanted to play again, I thought 'okay, why not? either he has learnt to play till the end or i can show everyone else not to play with him by giving red'

Sure enough he abandoned again. But i still can't give him red because of beginner's protection (which is weird as it was at least his second game)

And it was clearly stated that this shouldn't be possible:
http://forum.boardgamearena.com/viewtop ... =20#p14904

To be clear: they never expire.

However: we will soon forbid beginners to give red thumb (as they can't receive one).

and

Hi,

The rule is: the protection is only for your first game. Whether you won it or not, starting from your second game, you can receive red thumb.

Seems like the system works not in the way you said it would.

Either it WAS his first game, then he shouldnt be able to give red thumbs either, or it wasn't then we should be able to red thumb him. And after the second one especially, we should be able to do so. Or did I understand something wrong?