West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek was sent off during Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Fulham but the player could be back in the squad for the Hammers’ FA Cup clash vs Man United.
Soucek accidentally elbowed Aleksandar Mitrovic during the final minutes of the match but referee Mike Dean thought it was an intentional offense and showed a direct red card to the 25-year-old.
The red card means Tomas Soucek will miss the next three matches for West Ham United, the first one of which will be a 5th Round FA Cup clash against Manchester United.
Everyone apart from Mike Dean thought that Tomas Soucek did not intend to cause any damage to Mitrovic which is why West Ham United are now going to appeal to overturn the ban.
“West Ham United have submitted notice to The Football Association to appeal the red card Tomas Soucek was shown in Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Fulham,” read a club statement, as reported by Sky Sports.
“The Czech midfielder was sent-off in added time at the end of the second half after coming into contact with Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic.
“Referee Mike Dean was asked to look at the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR official Lee Mason and decreed that the No 28’s actions constituted violent conduct. The appeal against Soucek’s red card will now be reviewed by an independent regulatory commission at the Football Association.”
And it seems like Tomas Soucek could be back in the matchday squad to face Manchester United, if the comments of former Premier League referee Mark Halsey are anything to go by.
Halsey shared a picture on Twitter which read: “DISCIPLINARY ACTION – Violent conduct:
“Violent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a team-mate, team official, match official, spectator or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made.
“In addition, a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible.”
Law12 fouls& Misconduct regarding violent conduct pic.twitter.com/MgqnsDoHdk
— Mark Halsey (@RefereeHalsey) February 7, 2021
And when he was asked if the decision could be overturned here’s what he had to say:
Very good chance
— Mark Halsey (@RefereeHalsey) February 7, 2021
If the decision is taken in time then Tomas Soucek will be eligible to play against Manchester United and it will be great news for David Moyes given the 25-year-old has played in 23 Premier League games so far this season, starting in each one every one of them.
