Wolves v Fulham

Incident late in the game, Mitrovic of old. Takes down Gibbs-White and the 2 players square up. The tackle itself worthy of a yellow with no advantage being played for a promising attack and the challenge arguably reckless but with the players squaring up, Mitrovic continuously throws his head forward. I wouldn’t say a straight red, however if we think back to the Arsenal Martinelli double yellow from last season, this could have been the same (Reckless + AA).

Anyone going double yellow? I think one yellow is safe refereeing but I don’t think a red could have been questioned

QuaverRef said:

Incident late in the game, Mitrovic of old. Takes down Gibbs-White and the 2 players square up. The tackle itself worthy of a yellow with no advantage being played for a promising attack and the challenge arguably reckless but with the players squaring up, Mitrovic continuously throws his head forward. I wouldn’t say a straight red, however if we think back to the Arsenal Martinelli double yellow from last season, this could have been the same (Reckless + AA).

Anyone going double yellow? I think one yellow is safe refereeing but I don’t think a red could have been questioned

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I thought exactly the same - if there had not been a clear advantage to play then surely that was a YC

Then the “confrontation” was either a YC or straight RC … imho I can’t see how he could stay on the pitch … I don’t buy the “it’s good/safe refereeing” to ignore the offence because he committed a second one!! I think it just makes it harder for every other official … just my honest opinion …

lesbobly said:

I thought exactly the same - if there had not been a clear advantage to play then surely that was a YC

Then the “confrontation” was either a YC or straight RC … imho I can’t see how he could stay on the pitch … I don’t buy the “it’s good/safe refereeing” to ignore the offence because he committed a second one!! I think it just makes it harder for every other official … just my honest opinion …

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It’s elite professional football. Keep it 11 v 11 at all costs.

I wish I wasn’t so cynical, but it’s so clear that the powers that be don’t want referees to send people off unless it’s painfully obvious that it has to happen.

RefIADad said:

It’s elite professional football. Keep it 11 v 11 at all costs.

I wish I wasn’t so cynical, but it’s so clear that the powers that be don’t want referees to send people off unless it’s painfully obvious that it has to happen.

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Yep I get that - just wish the powers that be were brave enough to fess up and make that clear obvious - at least we can then genuinely say “it’s not the Prem” - in a similar many years ago, in another life” I was always extra hard on Sunday morning beer fed challenges - everybody has to go to work on Monday was my mantra, therefore I would rather the assassins were not on the park … opposite to Prem attitude

I think John Brooks' view of the tackle was potentially obstructed by another Fulham player running across his line of sight.

The replay angle of the confrontation is not ideal but it appears to me that Gibbs-White initiates the head-to-head contact then Mitrovic retaliates more strongly.

Personally I would prefer any use of head-to-head contact while not challenging for the ball to be clearly defined as violent conduct in the laws of the game and can't see a good argument to the contrary. At the moment it seems too ambiguous.

Mitrovic should certainly have received another caution for the tackle and been sent off.

CaptainsPlease said:

Personally I would prefer any use of head-to-head contact while not challenging for the ball to be clearly defined as violent conduct in the laws of the game and can't see a good argument to the contrary. At the moment it seems too ambiguous.

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Well, the laws are relatively clear:
"...a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible."

It's a shame this line includes "with the hand or arm" but I think the idea of "negligible" is a good guide for head-to-head handbags.

I think one counter argument with showing double yellow and a red here is that whenever a player makes a poor tackle, just react because in the heat of the battle your bound to get a reaction from the player that fouled you and get them sent off if we are going to follow the letter of the law that strictly which will no doubt lead to complaints from pundits and fans alike. The Martinelli sending off was different as it was 2 certain yellow card offenses and did not involve a flare up.