Saw this today in WOL. It confirms what we all thought about that referee stinking the place out with a performance of abysmal proportions. Okay, Lansbury might get retrospective punishment but that will only serve to benefit other teams in the future. It will do nothing to have been of benefit to us on the day, which it should have done.
Ex-ref blasts Manning decision
Former referee Keith Hackett says Tony Harrington was wrong not to send off Henri Lansbury after his challenge on Ryan Manning during Swansea's 3-3 draw with Luton Town.
Both players were booked after Lansbury appeared to kick out at Manning when attempting to take a quick free-kick during the league encounter at Kenilworth Road.
And Hackett says Harrington could face sanctions from the Football Association after failing to dismiss Lansbury.
"I was amazed when I saw this," he told
Football Insider.
“This is a straight red, every day, any day. When you look decisions like this, you’d say what was the referee doing?
“Any new referee needs to understand the first thing you do when you award a free-kick is manage the position of the ball.
“The second one is for the defending wall to be back the 9.15 metres of distance. What I have to say is where was the referee in managing the restart? Non-existent.
“You’re allowing the player to be hovering around. The player taking the kick wipes him out.
“It’s a deliberate kick at an opponent. There’s no way that’s yellow.
“Personally, I think the Football Association should be in a position to upgrade (it to a red card). I would hope the FA look at this one.
“First of all, ask the referee his views on the incident. I think they’ve every right to ask the referee and probably charge the referee for failure to apply the laws of the game.
“It’s happened occasionally. There is a remit where the FA can do that. That would be a suspension.”
This so-called referee should immediately be suspended and severely downgraded on his return. A message must be sent to others of his ilk.