Hackett Exclusive: Senesi challenge to be ‘outlawed’ after Bournemouth vs Fulham
Keith Hackett has reacted to a moment of controversy as Bournemouth beat Fulham at The Vitality Stadium.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Marcos Senesi should have been sent off for his challenge on Joachim Andersen.
Andoni Iraola‘s side went into that clash on Monday night (14 April) having failed to win any of their six Premier League games to dent their hopes of European qualification.
However, Antoine Semenyo put Bournemouth in front over less than a minute, with that early opener proving enough for the Cherries to claim all three points.
At the end of the half though, the hosts were fortunate to keep all 11 men on the pitch following a foul from Senesi.
Joachim Andersen wiped out by Marco Senesi
With less than two minutes to go until the break, the Cottagers had mounted an attack in search of an equaliser.
As they did so, Andersen was brought down by Senesi, with the Fulham man left on the ground holding his leg in pain.
Replays showed that the Bournemouth centre-back had gone over the ball to catch the Denmark international on his leg with his studs.
| Marco Senesi vs Fulham | Total (from SofaScore) |
| Successful Passes | 19/23 |
| Duels Won | 0/5 |
| Tackles | 0 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Clearances | 4 |
| Fouls | 2 |
But after referee Michael Oliver only showed Senesi a yellow card, VAR elected not to intervene to upgrade that to red, due to a belief that the contact had only been “glancing”.
Hackett though believes challenges such as the one made by Senesi should not be allowed in the game, and that the centre-back was should have been dismissed for that foul.
‘Bournemouth man lucky to only see yellow’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider whether the Bournemouth man should have been sent off for that challenge on Andersen, the former referee said:
“The player in his challenge uses excessive force that endangers the safety of his opponent. I am not convinced in law that a glancing blow reduces the sanction from a red card to a yellow.
“These challenges need to be outlawed and the sanction should have resulted in a red card.”
There was further controversy in the game when Michael Oliver did not allow Fulham to reverse an incorrect substitution, with the Cottagers unable to find an equaliser as Bournemouth claimed victory.
Marco Silva’s side will next be in action when they host local rivals Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Sunday (20 April).
Bournemouth meanwhile are next due to travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace the day before that.