Sunderland Nation

Former Premier League referee says Sunderland victim of big officiating error at Plymouth

Were Sunderland on the wrong end of another poor refereeing call at Plymouth? One former Premier League official thinks so.

Michael Graham

Former Premier League referee says Sunderland victim of big officiating error at Plymouth
Former Premier League referee says Sunderland victim of big officiating error at Plymouth /

Former Premier League referee Chris Foy says Sunderland should have been playing against ten men against Plymouth for the majority of the game.

Sunderland lost 2-0 at Home Park in another frustrating defat despite dominating for long periods. Foy, though, has highlighted what he believes to be a big mistake by referee James Bell.

The incident was in the 25th minute when Plymouth were already leading 1-0. Argyle midfielder Luke Cundle chased down Trai Hume and caught him with a high sliding challenge that left the Sunderland full-back screaming in pain.

An advantage was played and Cundle was eventually yellow carded for the tackle, but Foy believes it should have been more.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Foy said: “Although this is a difficult one to spot in real-time, I think the Plymouth Argyle player is fortunate to have only received a yellow card for this challenge.

“The challenge is late, with a high point of contact and is made with speed, force and intensity that endangers the safety of an opponent.

“The tackle is made with studs showing and going into the Sunderland player's leg above the ankle making the ankle buckle.

“These are the factors a referee will consider when making a decision as to whether it is serious foul play (red card) or just reckless (yellow card).

“In my opinion, the better outcome would have been to award a red card to the Plymouth Argyle player for serious foul play."

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Michael Graham
MICHAEL GRAHAM

Michael Graham is a professional sports writer with more than ten years of industry experience. After pursuing football writing by helping establish the Roker Report Sunderland AFC fansite, Michael moved to Planet Sport to cover football.  Michael has since worked on many of the sports sites within the Planet Sport network, including Football365, TEAMtalk and Planet Football before leaving to join 90min. As well as football, Michael is an accomplished tennis writer and has been regularly featured on Tennishead, TennisBuzz and Tennis365. It is football that is his first love, though, with Sunderland AFC his particular passion.  Contact: michael@buzzpublishing.co.uk

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