PGMOL expert: John Brooks consciously denies Cristian Romero chance of appeal after Tottenham red vs Liverpool
John Brooks consciously decided against a straight red card when giving Cristian Romero his marching orders against Liverpool on Saturday.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Tottenham captain had nowhere to hide when kicking out at Ibrahima Konate.
Both sets of fans were fuming with Brooks during the 90 minutes on 20 December, and Howard Webb should feel as though his referee should have taken a better grip of the game after two red cards.
There was very little arguing when Xavi Simons saw red for a challenge on Virgil van Dijk, and Brooks tried his best to keep tempers from flaring. Romero had other ideas, though.
He kicked Konate in the stomach after the two fell to the floor following an altercation, and the Spurs defender was punished for his role in the aftermath. Rightly so.
Tottenham will definitely be without Cristian Romero for one game
Instead of being shown a straight red card, however, the Argentine was given a second yellow, meaning that the Lilywhites cannot appeal against the decision.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the incident, the former referee said: “There is no excuse from Romero for his action of kicking out on his opponent, while they’re both lying on the ground.
“A clear reckless act and a yellow card. It was his second yellow card of the game, so he was rightly shown the red,” before he was then asked if the Argentine could have been sent off for his actions.
He responded: “It could have easily been a straight red. The fact that the referee is aware that the player is on a yellow, he went for the second yellow knowing there is no route for appeal.”
The club captain had only just returned from suspension for the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United, and Thomas Frank must now do without him for the trip to Selhurst Park on Sunday, 28 December.
Jamie Redknapp baffled by Romero’s actions in North London
It is safe to say that Jamie Redknapp was not impressed by the captain’s actions, suggesting that not even his four-year-old child would have done the same.
However, he was clearly not surprised, saying, “What Romero did is what Romero does,” and the former player certainly has a point [Sky Sports], given that the centre-back is normally in the referee’s notebook.
There has been plenty of talk about Romero potentially being sold, with several European giants interested in the 27-year-old, and Frank might be tempted to cash in now more than ever.