Liverpool’s Fabinho should have received a red card for his ugly challenge from behind on Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, the refereeing body have admitted following outrage from fans that the tackle went unpunished.
Referee David Coote did not dismiss Fabinho in real time after he sunk his studs into Ferguson during Sunday’s FA Cup tie at the Amex Stadium, while VAR Neil Swarbrick did not correct the call from Stockley Park.
The PGMOL have now accepted that was an error with new refereeing chief Howard Webb feeling it is important for the organisation to take a transparent approach when major mistakes such as this are made.
Fabinho (floor) hacked Ferguson (left) down from behind in Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Brighton
Fans and pundits believe Fabinho was lucky to keep his place on the pitch after his poor tackle
It is felt by Webb that there was enough evidence for Swarbrick to recommend a pitch-side review by Coote, who most likely would have sent off Fabinho upon second viewing of the incident.
PGMOL sources say they want to make it clear that this type of challenge should result in a red.
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Sportsmail columnist Chris Sutton could not believe Fabinho escaped a dismissal on Sunday, saying: ‘The guilt was written all over his face.
Referee David Coote only showed the Brazilian a yellow card for his rash challenge
Fabinho (red) quickly protested his innocence after his challenge on Evan Ferguson
‘The sending off for Sheffield United’s Daniel Jebbison – for next to nothing – against Wrexham made this one even worse.’
Brighton won regardless of Liverpool keeping 11 men on the pitch with Kaoru Mitoma scoring a stoppage-time winner.