Ex-Fifa ref: Southampton star should have got red card after 'serious' incident v Nottingham Forest
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Southampton star Flynn Downes should have been sent off and have landed an extended ban for an act of serious foul play during their 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official explained that the 25-year-old was fortunate to remain on the pitch after endangering the safety of his opponent when he lunged into a challenge on Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.
Match official Anthony Taylor was given plenty of stick from the home supporters for his refereeing display, in a game marred by several questionable decisions.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were able to come away with all three points following three first-half goals from Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood.
The second half saw Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu score for the visitors, while Nikola Milenkovic had his header ruled out for offside after a VAR review, and the game ended 3-2.
Southampton star Flynn Downes lucky to escape red card v Nottingham Forest
Forest fans were relieved to come away with all three points and felt the referee’s inconsistent decision-making could have cost them a valuable win in their battle for European qualification.
Despite the game having five goals and plenty of late drama, the focus post-match was largely on the performance of the officials after a questionable display.
Four Southampton players left the field with yellow cards, but it was Downes who was regarded as fortunate after an ill-tempered display.
The midfielder made four fouls during his 45 minutes on the pitch, eventually picking up a yellow card, but suggestions of an elbow and a heavy lunging challenge led to plenty of frustration.
It was that lunging challenge which Hackett insisted should have seen Downes handed a straight red card after he left the floor and connected with the achilles tendon of Gibbs-White.
“When a player leaves the ground with either one or two feet, he is out of control,” he told Football Insider.
“He is unable to stop or change direction.
“This player launches himself with excessive force and endangers the safety of his opponent.
“Therefore, he should have received a red card for a serious act of foul play.
“The referee has been far too lenient and I can only assume he had a poor viewing angle of the foul.”
In other news, Forest are ‘edging towards’ a new deal with Ola Aina.
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