MICAH RICHARDS believes the controversial decision not to book Alexis Mac Allister’s early challenge in the World Cup final “sets a dangerous precendent”.
Jattvibeday night’s showpiece started off in hectic fashion with a number of early chances and tackles flying in.
Alexis Mac Allister was somehow not booked after flying in at Dani Olmo in the World Cup final Credit: Reuters
Micah Richards said it ‘sets a dangerous precedent’ after the referee failed to show a yellow Credit: AP
One of those challenges was from Liverpool’s Mac Allister, who went in hard on Spain’s Dani Olmo to leave the midfielder writhing in pain.
And ex-England defender Richards couldn’t believe referee Slavko Vincic hadn’t issued a yellow after seeing the crunching tackle.
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He told BBC Sport: “We saw in Argentina’s semi-final against England how early refereeing decisions set the tone for the game, and that Alexis Mac Allister challenge should have been a yellow card.
“It sets a dangerous precedent, as Argentina will feel they can get away with roughing up Spain.”
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Former Three Lions striker Alan Shearer agreed and called Mac Allister “very fortunate” to escape the booking.
Chris Sutton was also critical of the decision and said it summed up Argentina’s status as “a bunch of bar room brawlers”.
He said: “It’s a late challenge. That has to be a yellow card, and guess what? The referee hasn’t gone to his pocket.
“This is what Argentina do and what they are good at. They are a bunch of bar room brawlers.
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“And if they get away with it they will. Get a grip referee.”
England’s former No1 keeper Joe Hart weighed in too, calling it “a big decision” from the referee that “gives Argentina a green light to do whatever they want.”
More to follow.
