Brad Friedel: Was sent off against Liverpool
A row is brewing between Premier League referees and the
Football Association following their decision to overturn
goalkeeper Brad
Friedel's red card at
Liverpool.
The Professional Game Match Officials Board, who represent
football's leading officials, have written to the FA to demand an
explanation.
The Aston Villa keeper was sent off by Martin Atkinson for
fouling
Fernando Torres in
the penalty area during the Reds' 5-0 romp on Sunday and the
referees argue that under the laws of the game a straight red card
was the correct decision.
However, the FA have taken the view that Friedel was trying to
get out of the way when he turned his back to Torres an instant
before giving the penalty away.
A Premier League spokesman confirmed that the PGMO had written
to the FA seeking an explanation over the U-turn.
"The PGMO have sought clarification from the FA on the reasons
why the appeal panel found against the referee," the Premier League
spokesman said.
"Through a letter to the FA the PGMO just want to be sure to get
all the detail on why the appeal panel found the way they did.
"Throughout the season you've got a number of different appeals
that go forward and it's important the referees get to the bottom
of precisely why the panel will have found in the way it did."
Friedel would normally have served a one-game ban for Villa as a
result of the red card and missed the clash against Manchester
United on Sunday week, but the 37-year-old will now add to his
tally of 182 consecutive league appearances.
The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday that senior
referees claim to be "disappointed and confused" by the FA's
decision to overturn the red card.
