Sunderland set for ‘additional fines’ after ‘loss of control’ – ex-Fifa official
Keith Hackett has issued a damning verdict on the standard of refereeing in Wimbledon’s draw with Sunderland on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League official claimed referee Simon Mather lost control of either the game or himself during the League One clash.
Mather brandished 13 yellow cards and one red in the 1-1 draw at Plough Lane.
Seven of those cautions were for Alex Neil’s Sunderland side, who are now winless in four.
Hackett revealed Sunderland would receive an additional fine for having that number of players booked in one match.
“When you look at that game, for the referee to issue 13 yellow cards and one red, that says to me that the referee lost control,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“Now, he may not have lost control of the game but he may have lost control of himself. His refereeing is ineffective.
“The yellow card is to be used as a warning. I think that referee needs some advice and some coaching so that he can make his future yellow cards more effective.
“What you can do as a referee is slow things down. Don’t issue a yellow card when it is really hot and then another yellow and another yellow. Put your foot on the ball and get the captains across.
“13 yellow cards and one red is too many for me. It’s not good for the game.
“I’m surprised there wasn’t more reds. Has the referee been selective with who he’s cautioned?
“Sunderland got seven yellow cards so an additional fine will be coming for failing to control the players.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed things could get ‘toxic’ at Sunderland after Charlie Methven images emerge.