Keith Hackett says if Ousmane Diakite faces retrospective punishment after West Brom incident vs Ipswich
Ousmane Diakite was placed under the microscope after an incident in West Brom’s defeat to Ipswich Town.
West Brom were beaten 1-0 by Ipswich on Saturday, with Jack Clarke’s late goal proving the difference between the sides.
The defeat marks a third loss in the last four games for Ryan Mason‘s side, who are facing more and more stumbling blocks following a positive start to the season.
Josh Griffiths was blamed for Ipswich’s late winning goal, after the goalkeeper gave the ball away with a wayward pass.
Much of the focus following the game, however, has been applied to an incident involving Diakite in the second half.
Keith Hackett reveals Ousmane Diakite process after ‘horrible’ challenge
It was a sloppy moment from Diakite already, when he took a poor touch after receiving the ball in his own half, but it could have been so much worse.
The midfielder lunged for the ball and caught Chuba Akpom on the ankle with his studs, with the striker forced off following the challenge.
Lee Hendrie called Diakite’s challenge on Akpom “really, really horrible”, but the 25-year-old faced no punishment from referee Josh Smith, who had not even awarded a free-kick.
Keith Hackett told West Brom News that Diakite should have been sent off, and the former FIFA official has now explained whether the midfielder could face retrospective action from the FA.
“He will make no reference in his report about this incident,” Hackett exclusively told West Brom News.
“The clubs player can write their observations to The FA. If they do, then the matter will be investigated.
It is at that point the Referee, VAR and remaining officials will be contacted by The FA.
“They will be asked: ‘Did you see this incident’. If they said yes – the investigation concludes at that point.“
West Brom will be glad to have not lost Diakite
Diakite can count himself extremely lucky to have stayed on the pitch. Mason will be glad, too, considering the midfielder’s impressive performance on the day.
The 25-year-old won all of his duels and made several key defensive contributions, despite West Brom‘s defeat.
| Ousmane Diakite | Vs Ipswich Town (A) |
| Minutes played | 82 |
| Chances created | 1 |
| Tackles | 2 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Recoveries | 10 |
| Duels won | 6/6 |
With important matches against Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and Oxford United coming up, Mason will need to see his side step up.
Diakite will be critical to those efforts, but the Mali youth international must tone down the aggression in the tackle to avoid any more risky moments.
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