Irons Likely To Appeal Soucek Red

Mike Dean likes to make his presence felt during Barclays Premier League matches that he officiates, and today's 'clash' between Fulham and West Ham was no exception. In the last minute of extra time he was persuaded to check the VAR monitor to see if Tomas Soucek's alleged 'assault against Alexander Mitrovic could be substantiated, and astonishingly he thought there was a case for a straight red card for an elbow in to the Fulham striker's face.

The club will of course appeal the red card, but run the risk of a further one match ban in addition to the three for a 'spurious' defence, but it is a risk that David Moyes will almost certainly take, when the heightened images are re-examined it will be clear to an unbiased observer that the 'clash' was purely accidental.

It should be remembered that Mitrovic had only just come on as a substitute, so there were no previous 'incidents' between the two players ahead of the 'incident'. now once Soucek had been given his marching orders Mitrovic DID go to the referee and say the contact was accidental, but that was AFTER the red card had been issued, it may just be our opinion at the Org, but if Mirtovic hadn't gone down like he had been hit by a sniper, then the red would never have been given.

Christ sakes, Mitrovic is a big burly Serbian, but he reacted like he had been 'slam dunked' initially, no doubt to prevent the free kick from benefiting West Ham, so in some ways he isn't to blame, it is probably more to do with the 'culture' of modern football, where results are more important than the way that they are achieved. Incidentally, Tomas Soucek is the 2nd most fouled midfielder in the Barclays Premier League, the 1st being none other than 'fan's favourite' Jack Grealish!

We cannot see Moyes not sanctioning an appeal, but then again, this IS the modern game. - Ed