Russell Martin and Fabian Hurzeler explain bust-up after Brighton draw vs Southampton

Yesterday at 06:40 PM

Fabian Hurzeler accused Russell Martin of showing a lack of respect following their bust-up in the aftermath of Brighton’s 1-1 draw with Southampton on Friday evening.

Kaoru Mitoma opened the scoring for Brighton but Southampton equalised in the second half through Flynn Downes.

Southampton then had a goal controversially ruled out after Cameron Archer converted a cross from Ryan Fraser.

A subsequent VAR check penalised Adam Armstrong for his part in the build-up, with officials claiming that the Southampton forward, who was in an offside position, was interfering with play in front of Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

Following the full-time whistle, both managers who were booked during the game argued on the touchline before they were separated by their coaching teams.

‘For me it's just important to have respect,’ Hurzeler said of the spat with Martin.

‘It's important to respect each other and how you talk to each other. That's how I was educated.’

When asked for his take on the row at full time, Martin said: ‘The manager decided to say something about respect.

‘I've never known a manager try to get as many players booked as that. Respect is reciprocal. It's mutual.

‘As for the decision late on, I respect how difficult the decision is for the referee and the assistant referee. It is really difficult, but I find it hard to accept.

‘The on-pitch decision carries weight, and it will probably be recorded as a correct decision. But in my opinion Adam does not affect the goalkeeper, so it's bad decision.

‘I would rather the guy make a mistake on the pitch and we go 'no problem'.’

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