Ex-Premier League referee: Josh Koroma deserves extended ban as controversial Huddersfield footage emerges
Josh Koroma should have been sent off as Huddersfield Town drew 1-1 with Stoke City on Friday night (28 January), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League official claimed referee Gavin Ward should “spend a bit of time away from the game” after his performance.
In the 20th minute, Koroma appeared to plant his studs on Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ knee but was not even shown a yellow card and went on to score the opening goal less than 10 minutes later.
A red card would have seen him handed a three-game ban so he would have been unavailable for Huddersfield’s upcoming fixtures with Derby County, Barnsley and Preston North End.
As quoted by Stoke on Trent Live, Potters boss Michael O’Neill claimed it was an “awful” challenge and he should have been sent off.
“I don’t think Gavin Ward had a very good game, there were a number of questionable decisions,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“This was a red card, all day, every day in every game in every year.
“I think the referee should spend a bit of time away from the game after that performance.
“I don’t think it was his best game ever and he missed a very clear red card offence.
“Before they consider getting VAR in the Championship they need to improve how they operate it in the Premier League.
“The way I would approach it when a referee has an off game, which he has, he needs some operational advice and some time to reflect.
“He needs to understand that the delivery of that performance was not to the standard you expect.”
In other news, Huddersfield Town are plotting a move to sign an Oxford United 24-year-old.