Ex-Premier League referee issues emphatic Luke O’Nien claim as controversial Sunderland footage analysed
Keith Hackett has insisted the referee was right not to send Luke O’Nien off as Sunderland lost 2-0 to Roma in a pre-season friendly last week (13 July).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed O’Nien did not deliberately elbow his opponent in a challenge that left Jose Mourinho incensed.
As shown on the match highlights on Sunderland’s website, Mourinho came marching onto the field of play after O’Nien and Roger Ibanez came together near the halfway line.
It came moments after the 27-year-old put in a crunching tackle on Stephan El Shaarawy and Mourinho wanted him sent off.
The referee did not oblige but he was promptly taken off by Alex Neil instead.
“I don’t think this was a red card on first view,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“The Roma player has come behind the Sunderland player and been caught. I don’t think there was a clenched fist and I don’t think the player has deliberately elbowed him.
“Ok, he’s gone to ground but that’s part and parcel.
“I don’t think there is the illegal use of the arm because the opposition ran from behind and got caught.
“I don’t think this is a red card offence.”
As quoted by the Sunderland Echo (17 July), Neil claimed the reaction to the challenge was overblown.
The Black Cats are preparing for life in the Championship in 2022-23 after four seasons in Legaue One.
In other news, Sunderland have been backed by an expert to sign a Premier League striker.