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SIR ALEX FERGUSON: Criticised red card decision
SIR ALEX FERGUSON: Criticised red card decision

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Fergie: Red card was harsh


27/10/2005

SIR Alex Ferguson claimed the second-minute dismissal of Barnet keeper Ross Flitney did nothing to further the footballing education of his young United stars.

Liam Miller, Kieran Richardson, Giuseppe Rossi and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake were all on target during the 4-1 win but Barnet never had a chance once Flitney had been sent off for handling outside his area by referee Richard Beeby.

Ferguson felt the decision was tough on Flitney and believed it also disrupted a United side containing five teenagers.

"It was a harsh decision," said the United boss.

"It didn't help the game or our young players. They needed a test and when we scored immediately after the lad got sent off it became very difficult for Barnet.

"We didn't play the way we normally would. There was too much running with the ball and a few of them became individuals."

Flitney was in tears as he left the field and was consoled by former Fulham team-mate Edwin van der Sar at half-time after the Dutchman made his way down from the stand.

Wrecked

Dean Sinclair did net a consolation to give the visiting fans something to cheer about but Barnet boss Paul Fairclough felt Beeby's dramatic early intervention had wrecked what should have been a dream night.

Flitney was not the only one to suffer, but also young striker Louie Soares, who was substituted without kicking a ball as Fairclough was forced to call on replacement keeper Scott Tynan.

"It was a really cruel decision," said Fairclough.

"It ruined two players' nights. We all talk about the problems football has but there has got to be some soul and heart in the game.

"It wasn't malicious and Ross wasn't seeking to gain an advantage, it was just an error of judgement - surely a yellow card would have been enough.

"The lad was distraught, really distraught and we have also had to take off young Louie, who had not touched the ball and, like us all, had been looking forward to this night ever since the draw was made.

"Surely we need some commonsense. Everyone was stunned by it. It shattered a young boy's dream."

What did you make of the decision? Have your say.

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| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(13)


Most recent 2 of 13 user comments

   Very harsh decision, which ruined the game for 2 Barnet players. By the letter of the law, the ref was right, but it's really FIFA's fault for removing the "common sense" factor from refereeing. Had he, say, only produced a yellow card, he would have been slated by his bosses for doing so. Allow the ref's to referee with a bit a common sense FIFA, and we might, just might, see an end to over the top reactions like this.
Steven Collier, King's Lynn
30/10/2005 at 14:57

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   An over the top decision by the co called referee to send the Barnet keeper off, it did more harm than good to the game that is already full of "Prima Donnas"
Cedric Williamson, Melbourne Aust
28/10/2005 at 13:10

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