VINCENT KOMPANY, who will serve a four-match ban after losing his appeal against the red card he was shown in the 3-2 FA Cup loss to Manchester United last Sunday, has written of his “genuine concern” about the implications of the decision.
The Manchester City captain was sent off for a challenge on United’s Nani, in which he won the ball, but went in two-footed and off the ground.
The English Football Association’s independent regulatory commission used video evidence to consider Kompany’s claim of wrongful dismissal, but stood by referee Chris Foy’s verdict of serious foul play.
Writing on his Facebook page, under the title A Moment of Reflection, Kompany explained his decision to appeal, and wrote of his fear of an “unprecedented wave of red cards” in future.
Kompany wrote: “I appealed because I obviously completely disagreed with the interpretation of the officials on the day but that happens in football and we move on. I wonder though if we are now going to see an unprecedented wave of red cards on match days because we sanction “ifs” and “maybes”?
“Players and managers are starting to expect more sending offs from referees and I think it’s for the wrong reasons. My understanding is English football prides itself on the hardness, the fairness and the tradition of its game. That is why hundreds of millions of people tune in to watch Premier League football and English referees have always been a key factor to that success in my opinion.
“So I don’t agree with people saying referees in this country aren’t doing well as I think they are the best in the world. Hopefully common sense will prevail again in the future and I for one hope not to see consistency in sending-offs and suspensions when the intent of a player is to win the ball.
“I waited for the suspension to be confirmed before making any comments as I didn’t want to give the impression that I was using the media to benefit my own personal agenda. I’m not speaking on behalf of the club or anybody else, this isn’t me defending myself, this is just me raising a genuine concern. If football fans decide I’m wrong then I will have no problem in accepting the fact that times are changing again for our game.”
GuardianService
