Frank McAvennie destroys decision to send off West Ham defender Fabian Balbuena v Chelsea
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie has labelled the decision to send off West Ham defender Fabian Balbuena as the “worst” he has ever seen.
The Paraguayan international was shown his marching orders after accidentally making contact with Ben Chilwell after clearing the ball.
McAvennie has destroyed that decision and believes that it will be overturned as soon as it is reviewed by the Irons this week.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said, “It’s the worst decision I’ve ever seen.
“They’re going to get it overturned, the referee should be dropped for that, it’s ridiculous. It’s the worst decision, he’s played through the ball.
“You’ve got to follow through to hit the ball right. You can’t stop that or doing anything about it, especially with VAR looking at it, the referee initially made the right decision.
“I think it is ruining the game.”
Ludicrous.
Initially, Chris Kavanagh didn’t caution Balbuena, but one check of VAR made him change his mind immediately at the London Stadium.
What didn’t help, is that the freeze-frame of the replays simply highlighted the defender’s stood on the back of Chilwell’s legs.
It was never a deliberate challenge, and it is another example of the fact that this technology isn’t actually helping, but making the game worst.
The consistency is shocking in the Premier League, and it doesn’t help that no one actually knows the rules fully when officiating these games.
Something needs to change, and this is just another example of why.
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