Chelsea player should have picked up second yellow v West Ham – Keith Hackett
We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League referee Keith Hackett as our exclusive West Ham United columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium...
Keith Hackett has shared that Chelsea defender Reece James was fortunate not to get a second booking during West Ham United’s win on Saturday.
James was spotted through pictures shouting towards Manuel Lanzini before his penalty who certainly had the last laugh at the London Stadium.
Hackett insisted that it would have been difficult for the officials to spot who it was, as they will have had all eyes on the spot kick instead.
The former FIFA-listed referee shared his view and admitted that it would have been hard to identify the culprit in real-time.
“Clearly, if the referee hears those screams, then he has a course of action to take which would be to caution that player for an act of unsporting behaviour.
“Often, the level of concentration the referee has around a penalty kick, his detection as to who might by shouting is not that easy.
“For me, a quiet word – just call the captain across, tell him somebody shouted, I suspect it may have been from you.“
Should have been red.
James can thank himself that he wasn’t booked for this incident, as he went on to pick up a yellow later on in the game.
Based on that, he missed out on being sent off and picking up a ban for his troubles after the massive win for the Irons.
Lanzini rubbed it in perfectly after slotting home the penalty in beautiful style, running straight to James and celebrating in his face.
That is everything he should have expected, and he was lucky to finish on the pitch once the final whistle had gone.
In other West Ham United news, ExWHUemployee has shared what Jesse Lingard and his agent have told the Irons about January
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