Cardiff star Joe Ralls deserved yellow and Newcastle were robbed against Manchester United
People called it cynical yet that word does not actually appear in the laws of the game
JOE RALLS’ red card for serious foul play against Tottenham created much debate in football.
People called it cynical yet that word does not actually appear in the laws of the game.
Referee Mike Dean had two things to consider…
Was it a reckless challenge from Ralls on Tottenham’s Lucas Moura with excessive force, endangering a player’s safety with brutality which would result in a red card?
Or was it a reckless challenge when a player acts with disregard to the danger to — or consequences for — an opponent… which is a caution.
Dean decided it was the first option and sent off the Cardiff midfielder.
But I would have given him a yellow card because I felt it wasn’t a challenge with excessive force.
WES MORGAN says he is running scared of referees — because they are turning football into a non-contact sport!
The Leicester skipper will forever be remembered for helping steer the 5,000-1 shots to 2016 title glory.
But Morgan, 34, claims it would be easier repeating that feat than predicting what card an official will show the next time he tries to win an honest tackle.
He saw red for the SECOND time in THREE league games on Saturday — for four yellow-card offences which never left a mark on anyone.
TOON WERE ROBBED
NEWCASTLE should have had a first-half penalty at United.
Ashley Young moved his arm to the ball so it was a deliberate handball.
But referee Anthony Taylor was looking for other offences in the penalty area and he clearly did not see the handball because he gave a goal kick.
Taylor was in a poor position and a ref of his experience should have been wider.
Andre Marriner gave Morgan a second yellow against Everton after he clearly won the ball and clipped Richarlison’s foot in the process.
The Brazilian’s reaction was worthy of an Oscar but, having just warned Morgan for bundling the Toffees star over, Marriner bought it. It was 1-1 at that point and the Foxes ended up losing 2-1.
Morgan moaned: “It should have been a free-kick at most. The ref made a call off the player’s reaction.
“We had free-kicks go against us for challenges the ref said were from behind, but we’d won the ball.
“Maybe the game is changing so you can’t have any contact at all!
“It does feel like any challenge you make, the ref is having a word, even though you might win the ball.
“If players go down screaming, referees shouldn’t buy into that.”
Morgan was also sent off in their 4-2 defeat at Bournemouth.
And he added: “If you look at that game, the decisions were so inconsistent.
“It would be easier if you knew if you made that challenge, it would be a yellow card or a free-kick.”