Ex-Fifa official: Gianluca Scamacca should be getting extended ban as West Ham controversy missed by BBC cameras
Gianluca Scamacca should have been sent off as West Ham lost 1-0 to Man United on Sunday (30 October), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted Scamacca should have been shown a second yellow card for his challenge on Lisandro Martinez.
In an incident missed by the BBC’s Match of the Day 2 programme, the 23-year-old went in with his foot as Martinez led with his head as they challenged for a loose ball early in the second half.
Scamacca had already been cautioned in the first half for a challenge on Marcus Rashford and the Man United players urged Chris Kavanagh to show him a second yellow card.
That would have seen the Italian handed a one-game domestic ban and be unavailable for West Ham’s game with Crystal Palace next week (6 November).
David Moyes decided not to risk his striker being sent off and replaced him with Michail Antonio shortly after the incident.
“It’s at least a yellow card and therefore, he should have gone,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“He’s got his boot at the head height of his opponent. You can’t do that anymore.
“If he’s going to make a challenge when the ball is in that position, he’s got to go with his head.
“I think it’s reckless on his part and therefore warranted a second yellow card.
“Of course, VAR is not going to come in because it’s a yellow. That’s the nonsense of VAR.
“Moyes is a sensible guy for taking him off.”
In other news, West Ham are ready to sell a star in January and £10million will seal the deal.