Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has cast his verdict on the decision not to award Chelsea a penalty against Manchester United.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is convinced his side should have been awarded a first-half spot-kick after Joao Pedro went down inside the box following a challenge from Noussair Mazraoui. The Italian was left in disbelief on the touchline when referee Peter Banks allowed play to continue.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Maresca was quoted by BBC Sport as saying: “[We should have had] a penalty for Joao.”
Footage on social media has subsequently gone viral, with Chelsea fans even more convinced a penalty should have been awarded after a new angle emerged. Watch the clip below:
Mark Halsey’s Verdict on Potential Penalty Incident
When the incident was broadcast live on Sky Sports, co-commentator Alan Smith said: “No, not enough in that.”
Now Halsey, one of the Premier League’s most recognisable referees in the 2000s, has cast his verdict on the incident after reviewing the footage. The 64-year-old told The Sun:
“Peter Banks has got that one absolutely spot on. Not a penalty, for me.”
Mark Halsey on Sanchez and Casemiro red cards
Halsey also assessed the red cards for Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez and Manchester United’s Casemiro, who were dismissed in the fifth and 45th minutes, respectively. Sanchez received a straight red card for a foul on Bryan Mbuemo, while Casemiro was dismissed on the stroke of half-time for picking up two yellow cards.
On the Sanchez red card, Halsey said: “Referee Peter Banks was absolutely spot on to issue a red card for the Chelsea goalkeeper for denying a goalscoring opportunity.”
And on the Casemiro red, Halsey added: “Casemiro received two yellow cards. Firstly, a challenge on Enzo, which is clearly a reckless challenge. Then, in first half added time, he received a second yellow card for a holding offence on [Andrey] Santos – which, for me, is clearly the correct decision by referee Peter Banks.
“No alternative but send Casemiro off for two yellow card offences. For me, Casemiro was silly – there was no need to make that challenge, especially when you’re on a yellow card.”