It was ridiculous by Chico, but I do think Carroll threw his arm back deliberately and deserves the ban.
Carroll should never have been given a red, but once it had been given, it was unlikely to be rescinded as to do so, the panel have to feel that the ref got it completely wrong and on this one there was contact, it was just the intent that was hard to determine.
If Sagdo deserved a red for intent then so did Carroll. It doesnt matter one iota if someone connects or not.
Hard to determine? He throws his arm back, singing the elbow at Flores' head, how is there no intent?
As I said, he was turning to look at the ref. He never even faces chico as he turns, how would he know his head would be there and that he was not still getting up? To say that he 100% did it on purpose is silly. Only one person knows that, and it is Andy Carroll.
Intent means having the intention of doing something, Carroll intended to swing his arm around and with Flores in the vicinity there is only reason why he would intend to swing his arm around like that.
Yes, as he was turning to get the attention of the ref because he felt Chico fouled him (which he did)! I'm bored of arguing this. Let's just agree to disagree once and for all.
He was spinning round, he wasn't stood still swinging his arms around. Flores grabbing his face when he took a glancing blow to the top of his head was a far bigger offence as I'm concerned.
