Mark Halsey, a former Premier League referee, has been sharing his thoughts on a potential red card incident that occurred during Aston Villa’s 1-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday.
Matt Targett received a yellow card just after the hour mark and was lucky not to receive further punishment after committing several fouls following his caution.
One challenge in particular, where the 25-year-old raked his studs down the back of Raphinha’s heel, caused particular controversy.
Speaking exclusively to This is Futbol, Halsey was asked what his take on the incident was.
He had this to say in reply. (12:12)
Halsey said: “Some people will say put those those three challenges together, and it would warrant the caution for persistently infringing laws of the game. But I think, you know, that was his final chance.
“One more, I think he would have been seeing a second yellow card for persistently infringing the laws of the game, so I’m not going to criticise the referee with that situation because you know, I like the games to flow.”
Our view is that Targett was extremely lucky to stay on the field of play and could easily have been shown a second yellow card on another day.
Although we don’t want to see players get sent off and are aware that the physical nature of the Premier League is one of its most attractive qualities, the former Southampton man possibly committed one too many serious fouls over the weekend and should have been shown a red card under Law 12 for persistent fouling.