Bartley faces retrospective action for ‘outrageous’ West Brom v Preston incident

West Brom defender Kyle Bartley faces retrospective punishment for pushing Preston’s Emil Riis over the advertising hoardings on New Year’s Day, according to Keith Hackett.

Bartley, 33, was booked in the sixth minute of stoppage time after an altercation with Riis, which left the Preston striker in the Smethwick End among shocked supporters.

Former Premier League and FIFA-listed referee Hackett firmly believes that Bobby Madley should have shown Bartley a straight red card because booking him was nowhere near a fitting punishment for such a dangerous incident.

“Wow. This is outrageous,” Hackett told West Brom News.

The referee should not have hesitated in issuing a red card for this offence.

This is violent conduct and with no action taken the Football Authorities must take retrospective action against this player.

He has put his opponent in danger along with people close to the incident.

West Brom star Bartley could face lengthy ban

While Madley booked Bartley after the incident with Riis, Hackett’s claim could lead to the Albion defender being banned for at least three matches.

It remains to be seen if there will be any further action because usually, the FA hide behind the fact that Madley saw the incident and gave out punishment that he thought suited it.

Hackett didn’t think Bartley was the only player who should have been sent off at The Hawthorns on 1 January.

He also claimed that Preston midfielder Stefan Thordarson should have been shown a straight red card for an ugly lunge on Jayson Molumbu in the first half.

In other West Brom news, this ex-Albion star could be set to leave Wolves already in a shock transfer.

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