Ex-Fifa official: Bruno Fernandes should get extended ban as ‘unbelievable’ Man United footage emerges
Keith Hackett has insisted Bruno Fernandes should have received a minimum one-match ban for pushing an official as Man United fell 7-0 away at Liverpool on Sunday (5 March).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted the FA have “sent the wrong message out” by choosing not to punish the 28-year-old.
As per footage posted to Twitter by Sky Sports News (6 March), Fernandes can be seen pushing assistant referee Adam Nunn as he attempts to get play underway rapidly.
According to the Daily Mirror (6 March) the incident was seen by referee Andy Madley, who chose not to include it as part of his report on the game.
As such, no formal action will be taken against Fernandes – with retrospective action only taken if it is deemed match officials missed a clear sending-off offence.
In response, Ref Support UK chief Martin Cassidy insisted (as per a statement, 6 March) the midfielder should have been banned for five games – claiming children will mimic his actions at grassroots level.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “There’s no excuse for it.
“There’s a line that has to be drawn in the sand, and that is very clear. This is about protecting referees at all levels – especially grassroots.
“We should stick to the rules. Players cannot place their hand on a match official, full stop.
“The FA have sent the wrong message out. It’s unbelievable.
“At the very least he should have been charged. If he’s found not guilty later in the process, then that’s fine.
“But it should be an instant red card – and at the minimum, a one-match ban.
“I thought those were the rules. How can the FA let this go?”
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