Jon Moss got Liverpool red card spot on, says Mark Halsey in Ref Review
A little later than planned, but Mark Halsey from youaretheref.com is back after he made a brief return to officiating at the weekend to run the rule over just a couple of games from last weekend’s Premier League action…
Manchester City vs Liverpool (Jon Moss)
There’s been a lot of talk about the red card, a lot of pundits giving their opinion but Jon got the sending off absolutely spot on.
I watched it live and my first thought was it was a caution for a reckless challenge, and Jon’s body language told me he was thinking the same. He went to his right hand pocket, but he took a couple more seconds and saw the injury, then he changed his mind and produced a red.
Jon gave himself thinking time, had there been no injury he wouldn’t have been sent off. I thought Jon refereed the game very well, I’ve been critical of him in the past for having a good game followed by three or four indifferent games, but he’s started the season well.
Leicester City vs Chelsea (Lee Mason)
I think Lee missed a potential handball but it was a penalty for Leicester. The goalkeeper didn’t need to go for it and you need to look at Courtois rather than Lee Mason.
Vardy’s not going to get the ball but he’s caught him, it’s inside the penalty box and it has to be a penalty.
Swansea City vs Newcastle United (Mike Jones)
The incident between Matt Ritchie and Alfie Mawson, a similar incident to Mane but a completely different outcome. I support both referees and I support Mike because the outcome was different.
It’s got to be a reckless challenge which is endangering the player’s safety with excessive force and brutality. How can the referee send off a player who has made no contact or minimal contact with the opponent? No referee would have sent Ritchie off for that incident, because the outcome was different.
A lot of people hide behind the law book, but when you referee at the top level it’s completely different. You can use a bit of common sense and well done to Mike Jones for not overreacting.
Game 4 Grenfell and Bradley Lowery Charity Matches (Mark Halsey)
I enjoyed it and the players gave me a lot of praise! I had to book Jose, he was time wasting and he showed some dissent after the second goal. But he took it in good spirits, I have to say it was stage managed by myself.
The second game was good too, it was a fantastic weekend for two really excellent causes.
You can follow Mark at @RefereeHalsey
The Offside Rule 
indeed it was a red card. .using excessive force and endangering the safety of an opponent.. intent has nothing to do with it, which was used as an excuse by the manager of Liverpool.
Considering Moss was going to give a red to any Liverpool player (take your pick as to which one) before the end of the game the referees club are going to side with him. Some clubs give out superior brown envelopes>
Jon Moss’ refereeing does not instil confidence. It was noticeable that the News media did their utmost to ensure the FA panel could not reduce the suspension by plastering pics of the raw injuries sustained by the goalie. – Release of same must have had approval of Manchester City so their aim to also ensure Liverpool lost their most effective forward for three games is clear.
Great play has been made in the ensuing debate of Mane’s “reckless” tackle but has everyone who saw the collision not viewed also the recklessness of the goalie who sprinted out of his box and ducked his head to play the ball (when playing as an outfielder) without due regard for his own personal safety. He clearly saw Mane rushing to lob him but couldn’t reach the ball with his feet and was therefore prepared accept the collision.
It is my view if Mane’s action in trying to play the ball with his feet is deemed reckless by the FA so too is the goalie’s. – He should not have ducked in to try and head the ball without regard for his own safety!
Finally, the Premier Leagues foreign players must ask themselves if they receive the same consideration in these matters as English players. In the not too distant past the FA appealed to Uefa to have Rooney’s three match ban reduced to enable him to participate in their competition and succeeded. Currently the FA is appealing to FIFA to ensure Dele Alli’s rude middle finger gesture does not bring him a suspension from International competition.
Football Association – are you not embarrassed about your bias against foreign players? Is your integrity and administration of the Premier League which you claim to be the World’s best, acceptable? I think hypocrites!
Were you embarrassed at me calling the FA hypocrites in view of the fact that they crawled after Uefa to reduce Rooney’s three match suspension to permit him to take some part in their competition and are now doing something similliar to FIFA to prevent any suspension by them for Delli Alli’s rude middle finger gesture which was caught on camera when playing for England.
Their appeal was successful with Uefa for Rooney so why not do the same for Alli!?
But it is quite unthinkable that any EPL club should expect the FA to show moderation to their foreign players. Quid pro quo – non!
I expect you to expunge this response too – Ironic that it should be done under the guise of “Moderation”.