A three game ban now for a Wigan player puts them out of the semi-final. McManaman in particular has been an integral part of their run, and must be one of the first name's on the teamsheet to play at Wembley. He surely must be aware that a three game ban would put him out of that game.
Well he didn't give a free-kick, so I guess Halsey might say after the game that he didn't see it clearly - in which case, yes I think he can be punished retrospectively. But I've just re-wound Sky, and to me Halsey is looking right at the incident. He must have seen it, in which case I don't think follow-up action can be taken.
Aside from Halsey's decision, the other shocking thing is that Alan Smith compared it to Pienaar's second yellow yesterday. Yes, that was bad tackle and he deserved a second level, but McManaman's tackle is on another level. As Mikey says, it's a leg breaker - and the Sky touchline reporter has said that the player is in a really bad way. Do not be shocked if he indeed has a broken leg.
Absolute disgrace of a tackle from that Wigan player, I hope ****tu rips his leg off in the Semi-final, karma.
The more I see officials botching decisions like this the more I feel that it is blatantly clear that officials need some kind of additional help whether it be using technology or something else. I just don't buy the thinking that it's taking something out of football and that the controversy of these decisions adds to the spectacle and enjoyment. For me two games have now been ruined because incorrect referee/linesman decisions have hugely affected the games, and this is from a purely neutral standpoint, let alone how the fans of those actual teams feel. That McManaman tackle takes the biscuit though, that's the kind of challenge that ends careers.
Ok, fair enough. That slowed down HT replay of Sky's does show a Newcastle body possibly in Halsey's line of sight. One would hope therefore that he reports that he indeed did not see it, and thus McManaman can be punished. Not sure I appreciated Sky showing another slowed down replay of the actual challenge though! One particular angle does make you cringe in pain. So, so bad. Carver sent to the stands, if I heard correctly.
Surely the lino on that side of the pitch should have a great view of it? If McManaman avoids suspension I would be amazed.
Have to hope that a Newcastle player (most likely Tiote!) doesn't go on some sort of revenge mission here. Last thing we need is Newcastle down to 10 men.
Shocking challenge by McManaman. Bad tackles can sometimes be justified if the tackles are late or mistimed. But that was blatent...I'm going to kick your knee cap off. Halsy's view obscured but surprising there wasn't more reaction from Newcastle players.
The replays show that Halsey's view was blocked. Nonetheless it's adding up to another very bad day for officials.
Surely he can be done for bringing the game into disrepute. No player should be able to get away with that when another can get booked for taking off his shirt.
Precisely why he needed help to make the correct decision, impossible for referees to see everything on a pitch. That said I still believe the linesman on that side should have had an almost perfect angle to view it.
