‘There’s no dodging that’ – Ex-refs boss: Nottingham Forest star deserved sanction vs Man City
Igor Jesus was fortunate not to have his name taken by Rob Jones for a blatant incident in Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Man City on Saturday.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Jones was far from his best for the clash at the City Ground on 27 December.
Much of the pressure was on the referee from start to finish, with Sean Dyche lashing out at Jones after the full-time whistle, accusing him of bottling decisions against one of the title contenders.
Ruben Dias could have been sent off, and probably should have been, for tripping up an attacking Jesus, just moments into the second half, but only a free-kick was awarded in a dangerous position.
Rob Jones misses yet another key decision at the City Ground
In addition to the aforementioned incidents, Jesus was also at the centre of a contentious moment when he was brought down by Dias outside the penalty area.
Purely out of frustration, the Brazilian turned around waving an imaginary yellow card to the referee, which should automatically result in a caution for the player themself.
However, that never arrived for the 24-year-old striker, and that could have proved key later in the game after he clashed with another City player, this time, Phil Foden.
His studs made contact with Foden’s knee, and nothing was shown, but there might have been more jeopardy over that decision had he been cautioned for the waving of an imaginary card earlier.
Igor Jesus caught up in two bookable offences vs Man City
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “The referee ignored the showing of a yellow card, i.e. the player did an imaginary wave of a yellow card. That’s a straight caution.
“There’s no dodging that. He seemed a little bit too relaxed, rather than on the job. When players show an imaginary yellow card, the referee’s advice is that it should result in a yellow card, but it didn’t.”
Jesus is never one for shying away from a challenge, already picking up four yellow cards in 23 appearances, and he was fortunate not to have his name taken once again.