Ex-Fifa ref: Southampton star should have got red card after ‘serious’ incident v Nottingham Forest

During Southampton’s 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, Flynn Downes committed a serious foul play that should have resulted in his dismissal and a prolonged suspension.

The 25-year-old was lucky to stay on the field after putting his opponent’s safety in jeopardy by lunging into a challenge on Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, according to the former PGMOL chief and former FIFA official.
In a match that included a number of dubious calls, home crowds gave match official Anthony Taylor a lot of flak for his officiating performance.

Southampton star Flynn Downes lucky to escape red card v Nottingham Forest

Forest fans were relieved to come away with all three points and felt the referee’s inconsistent decision-making could have cost them a valuable win in their battle for European qualification.

Even though there were five goals in the game and a lot of late drama, the referees’ performance was the main topic of discussion after a dubious performance.

After a grumpy performance, Downes was considered lucky, but four Southampton players were sent off the pitch with yellow cards.
During his 45 minutes on the field, the midfielder committed four fouls and was eventually given a yellow card, although there was a lot of annoyance about the possibility of an elbow and a strong lunging challenge.
Downes left the floor and made contact with Gibbs-White’s achilles tendon during that lunging challenge, which Hackett thought should have resulted in a straight red card.

“When a player leaves the ground with either one or two feet, he is out of control,” he told Football Insider.

“He is unable to stop or change direction.

“This player launches himself with excessive force and endangers the safety of his opponent.

“Therefore, he should have received a red card for a serious act of foul play.

“The referee has been far too lenient and I can only assume he had a poor viewing angle of the foul.”