Sky Sports pundit goes berserk at West Ham United v Newcastle United ‘disgrace’ after controversial incident
Darren Ambrose was furious with Peter Bankes’ performance as referee as West Ham drew 2-2 with Newcastle United at the London Stadium on Sunday.
In the first half alone, there were several controversial incidents, including a potential second yellow card for Bruno Guimaraes and the referee picking and choosing who to book for dissent.
Sky Sports pundit Ambrose really didn’t want to find himself talking about the referee while covering the game but he couldn’t help it because he was so frustrated by Bankes’ inconsistencies.
Speaking on Sky Sports News on Sunday (8 October, 02:36pm), Ambrose said: “The inconsistency of officiating in this game alone has been a disgrace.
“Look, you don’t want to sit here constantly moaning about referees and it’s Peter Bankes.
“What’s happened is Lascelles has been a fantastic run forward and Lucas Paqueta has made a cynical foul that’s very similar to the Guimaraes one and should’ve been a booking but it wasn’t. Almiron is gesturing again for a yellow card and that should’ve been a yellow card because he gave Emerson one. There should’ve been a red card with Guimaraes but he has just given a foul and a yellow card for Michail Antonio after an amazing bit of skill from Isak.
“It’s the inconsistency we’re always complaining about and it’s coming to fruition once again in this game.
“There’ll be more goals and more yellow cards, if not red cards, in this game because the referee is losing control.”
Referees not helping themselves
The standard of officiating in the Premier League has been the focus of back pages over the last week.
Liverpool’s VAR controversy against Tottenham highlighted major flaws in the way things work at Stockley Park but ultimately, it’s impossible to make things work when referees aren’t consistent with their own decision-making.
You can forgive Michael Oliver for saying something is a foul and Paul Tierney for saying it isn’t because these things are subjective to a degree.
However, what makes no sense is for Bankes to book Emerson for calling on him to book a player and then not do the same for Almiron – it’s simply baffling.
It’s no surprise to see fans coming out and suggesting there’s an ulterior motive behind refereeing decisions because it’s so inexplicable for them to do some of the things they do.
There needs to be a massive overhaul of referees in the UK because the Premier League is meant to be the best of the best when it comes to domestic leagues.
But it’s officiated by a bunch of hapless clowns.
In other West Ham news, one Hammers star has turned down a move to Liverpool in favour of a new deal.