Ex-FIFA ref warns Joshua King to ‘behave’ after controversial Aston Villa vs Fulham incident
Joshua King could have been shown more empathy following his involvement in Fulham’s defeat to Aston Villa.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referee Andy Madley did not have to caution the 18-year-old for simulation at Villa Park.
Raul Jimenez fired the Cottagers ahead after just three minutes, and 19 minutes later, Marco Silva‘s side thought they were going to be given the chance to score again from the penalty spot.
Joshua King saw his goal against Chelsea cruelly disallowed, and it was the young midfielder who appeared to be brought down by Emi Martinez in the penalty area before he was booked for diving.
Joshua King is creating an unwanted impression at Fulham
Many were baffled by the decision to sanction the player for simulation, but having also picked up a yellow card for diving against Brentford, it will not be a good look for the youngster.
While he has yet to open his account for the Cottagers, there is no doubt that the player is very talented, and the result could have been very different had the penalty been awarded on Sunday, 28 September.
Instead, substitute Emi Buendia made an instant impact for Villa, with Ollie Watkins already scoring the equaliser, as he supplied the assist for John McGinn before scoring the third just two minutes later.
Looking back at the incident, it is unclear exactly what was running through King’s mind in that split second, but either way, Hackett wants him to be careful so as not to get himself sent off.
Referees told to take more leniency with Fulham gem
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “It doesn’t matter what his age is; he’s on the field, so he’s treated just like anyone else. The coaching staff will offer him advice.
“It’s fantastic that an 18-year-old is involved in a Premier League game. I just think it shows how important the work of Howard Wilkinson was when he started discussing academies.
“We’re lucky to have some of the world’s best players, and we want them to behave. In this incident, there needs to be a bit of empathy between referees and players.
“The referee should have taken him to one side, explained that he saw the incident, and in normal terms, it would be a yellow card, but I won’t give one because I want to avoid that.
“That’s been lost from how we used to referee. We didn’t sanitise the game; we still made mistakes. But there was a different approach with the relationships.”