Ex-refs chief reveals the punishment Chris Wilder could face for ‘unfortunate’ incident in Sheffield United clash
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is set to face the repercussions of the red card he received as the Blades lost 2-1 to Southampton on Tuesday.
Wilder has returned to Sheffield United since the sacking of former boss Ruben Selles, who lost all six games he took charge of.
The Blades have earned one win in three attempts since the 58-year-old began his third spell at Bramall Lane, with home defeats against Charlton Athletic and Southampton arriving either side of a 1-0 win at Oxford United.
Thanks to their defeat against the Saints on 30 September, Sheffield United sit bottom of the Championship table, three points adrift of safety.
Sheffield United boss could be handed a three-game ban for incident vs Southampton
Manchester United have been tipped to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, following in the Blades’ footsteps in appointing one of their former bosses.
Meanwhile, just three games into his Bramall Lane return, Wilder was sent off for kicking a ball away in frustration at half-time, as the ball inadvertently struck a fan.
The South Yorkshire side led 1-0 at the break, but Ross Stewart’s second-half brace ensured that Southampton took the three points.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-PGMOL boss and former FIFA referee Keith Hackett said: “Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was shown a red card. Whilst exiting the field of play, he vented his frustration by kicking the ball into the stand. Unfortunately the ball struck a fan.
“The referee was left with little option other than to send Wilder off. When we look back, I can recall Arsenal’s manager at the time, Arsene Wenger, receiving a one-match touchline ban when he kicked the ball down the touchline at Old Trafford.
“In this situation, Wilder booted the ball with some force, and it hit a spectator. The disciplinary review panel using video evidence will look at this action by the Sheffield United manager and determine if a one or three-match ban is appropriate.
“The outcome will take into account his previous record. Because the ball hit the spectator, I will not be surprised if he is sitting in the stands for the next three games.”
Chris Wilder’s assistant explains Bramall Lane incident
When asked about Wilder’s red card by BBC Radio Sheffield about Wilder’s red card on 30 September, Blades assistant boss, Alan Knill said: “I think it’s frustration, really, with a lot of decisions. As we’re coming off, the ball was just there and he’s gone to kick it against either the wall or the dugout, and he’s just put it into the stands.
“Obviously he was disappointed, and the first to go and say sorry to wherever it landed.”
Sheffield United face Hull City in their next Championship clash on Saturday, 4 October, while Wilder’s punishment remains to be seen.