adminEx-refs chief rips into ‘serious foul play’ after ‘unacceptable’ Brighton vs Sunderland scenes
Sunderland may feel they got away with one after emerging with all 11 players intact from a dull 0-0 draw against Brighton on Saturday.
Fresh from last weekend’s 1-0 derby win over Newcastle United, the point was still enough to lift the Black Cats up to sixth in the Premier League. However, the closing stages at the Stadium of Light could easily have taken a different turn.
Referee Darren England opted to show Dan Ballard only a yellow card for a late challenge on Charalampos Kostoulas, a decision that sparked debate.
Ballard has been one of Sunderland’s standout performers this season, but the centre-back was arguably fortunate not to be dismissed — and potentially hit with a three-match suspension — had VAR intervened more forcefully.
With Sunderland already bracing themselves for several absences due to the Africa Cup of Nations in the coming weeks, avoiding an additional ban for Ballard will come as a significant relief.
Hackett condemns ‘unacceptable’ challenge
Although the contest itself offered few clear-cut chances, Brighton were left frustrated by the officiating decision.
Kostoulas appeared to nick the ball away after Ballard’s heavy touch, only for the Sunderland defender to raise his foot and drag his studs down the midfielder’s shin.
Despite the severity of the challenge, England kept his red card in his pocket — a call that drew strong criticism from former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett.
Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett said:
“Ballard should have seen red for this challenge.
He went for the man and not the ball, and there was malice in this unacceptable challenge.
“This is serious foul play, and I think the authorities — PGMOL, the FA, the Premier League, the PFA and the LMA — need to be clear that challenges like this should result in a red card.”
Premier League explanation questioned
The Premier League later issued a statement addressing the incident, though it did little to ease confusion over the decision.
“The referee’s call of yellow card to Ballard for a reckless challenge was checked and confirmed by VAR — with the contact deemed to be glancing,” read a message from the Premier League Match Centre.
That explanation raised further eyebrows when, just hours later, Xavi Simons was sent off for a similar-looking tackle during Tottenham’s clash with Liverpool.
As has often been the case this season, questions over consistency in Premier League refereeing continue to linger.
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