I was confident card would be rescinded - Frank Lampard
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard feels referees should consult their assistant officials before making big decisions.
Lampard won his appeal against the red card he received in Sunday's 2-0 loss to Liverpool and will not serve a ban.
"I presumed it would be rescinded anyway," Lampard told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I was confident.
"It was a mistake but referees need time to consult the other officials - there are four and they get different angles. They need to use common sense."
Referee Mike Riley dismissed Lampard on the hour mark at Anfield for a challenge on Xabi Alonso.
Two late goals from Fernando Torres gave Liverpool victory and the result leaves Chelsea five points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United, having also played a game more.
 |
606: DEBATE
JFDI
|
"It was obviously a mistake," added Lampard. "We all make mistakes - footballers make mistakes. I don't want to have a dig at referees because they do a very hard job and I respect them."
The England international is now free to play in Chelsea's league games against Hull and Aston Villa, as well as their FA Cup fifth round tie with Watford.
It is the second time in 10 months that he has won an appeal against a red card.
He was sent off against West Ham in March 2008 and had that overturned, too.
Lampard's team-mate Jose Bosingwa will not face any action for stamping on the back of Yossi Benayoun in the same match.
Scolari bemused by Lampard red card
The Portuguese was not punished at the time and because the assistant referee admitted seeing it, the Football Association cannot review the incident.
Late in the game Bosingwa appeared to lunge one-footed into Benayoun's back but the incident went unpunished by Riley.
But because his post-match report revealed that assistant Mo Matadar did see the event, under Fifa law, the FA cannot now take disciplinary action.
"What Bosingwa did was not correct, he made a mistake," said Scolari.
Bosingwa was quick to apologise for the incident, saying: "I apologise for what I did and it was never my intention to hurt him.
"I know it was wrong and I apologise. It's always frustrating to lose big games and especially in this way.
"It was important to get points and not let Manchester United go. That didn't happen, so we are upset, but now we have to think about the next game."
No comments:
Post a Comment