Exclusive: Reading’s O’Mahony sanction update after Porro controversy v Tottenham
Howard Webb or the FA could take further action after Tottenham star Pedro Porro was involved in a controversial incident, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that, with evidence emerging online, Brighton loanee Mark O’Mahony could face a sanction for his foul on the Spaniard.
Thomas Frank’s reign got off to a bright start with a 2-0 win over League One outfit Reading on Saturday, 19 July, with goals coming from Will Lankshear and Luka Vuskovic.
Despite the Lilywhites’ opening win of pre-season, and Mohammed Kudus notching an assist on his debut, the challenge on Porro remained a major talking point until the Reading forward was substituted.
Pedro Porro on the end of ‘red card’ challenge
Hackett has been very clear that O’Mahony should have been sent off for his foul on Porro, a challenge which left the full-back writhing in pain on the sidelines, but only being shown a yellow card.
The 25-year-old was able to continue until the half-time break when Frank rang the changes, substituting every single player, including the goalkeeper, but both sets of fans were left shocked by the challenge.
Referee Farai Hallam decided only to caution the player, with the friendly nature of the game likely playing into that decision, but it could have been far worse for the Spurs star at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Luckily, there were no major injury concerns to emerge from the friendly fixture, but former Brentford boss Frank will have been furious with the opposition striker’s decision-making in that moment.
FA could spot Mark O’Mahony’s foul retrospectively
Hackett spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the incident and the potential fallout, saying: “With a yellow card, the player has been lucky. I don’t think it’ll go any further, at this stage. Was the match televised? That will come into play.
“All you need is for someone from the FA or the PGMOL to spot it and say, ‘Hang on a minute. What are you doing?’. This challenge needs to be outlawed.”
Spurs next face Luton Town on Saturday, 26 July, before facing Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Bayern Munich, with a fierce clash against PSG in the UEFA Super Cup on the horizon.