Ryan Mason has no grounds for complaint as ex-FIFA ref comments on West Brom controversy
Ryan Mason felt aggrieved at some costly officiating decisions that went against his West Brom team against Hull City.
West Brom were beaten 1-0 by Hull at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.
Oli McBurnie’s penalty seven minutes into added time at the end of the first half was enough to deal Albion their third defeat in four games, as sack pressure mounts on Mason at The Hawthorns.
Many West Brom fans feel it’s time for Mason to be axed, with the club now sitting in 16th ahead of their Boxing Day clash with Bristol City.
Referee was right to show Alfie Gilchrist red card
One of the game’s biggest flashpoints was the decision made by referee Ruebyn Ricardo to show West Brom defender Alfie Gilchrist a straight red card on 75 minutes.
The ex-Chelsea man was only on the pitch for just under 10 minutes when he was given his marching orders after his foul on Liam Millar was adjudged to have fallen into the ‘violent conduct’ category.
Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic was also surprised Gilchrist was sent off. However, Keith Hackett believes the correct decision was made.
Speaking exclusively to West Brom News, the former FIFA referee said: “The challenge was with a straight leg into his opponent, with no attempt to play the ball.
“The referee and assistant are in a good viewing position and issued a red card for serious foul play.
“If you make a challenge like that you are endangering the safety of your opponent. There is force and a degree of malice by the way the challenge is made.”
Mason was not in agreement with Hackett regarding Gilchrist’s red card, though.
“I don’t think anyone reacted [to Gilchrist’s challenge],” Mason told reporters after the game.
“The referee was 10 yards away, and it took him about 15 seconds to give the red card. But I thought it was a tough game for the referee.
“However, I can’t make excuses for us and our lack of discipline. The reality is that’s what’s cost us.”
West Brom told whether referee was right to award Hull penalty
The key moment in the match when it came to deciding the outcome was the decision to hand Hull a penalty deep into first half added time.
Nat Phillips was penalised after his hand made contact with the ball above his head from a Ryan Giles corner, from which McBurnie slotted home what would be the winning goal.
Hackett also believes that the referee made the right call in this instance too, and that Mason shouldn’t feel hard done by.
- West Brom registered 13 shots against Hull, but with just one being on target
- Hull’s only shot on target was McBurnie’s penalty
- West Brom have only kept one clean sheet in the Championship since 1 November (2-0 win v Sheffield United)
“I also support the referee on his actions for the penalty,” Hackett said. “If a defender puts his hands in the air well above his head, and the ball strikes that, it is handball.
“The referee is in a good position and sees contact. He has no alternative than to award a penalty-kick.”
Mason will need a big Boxing Day response vs Bristol City, otherwise he may have a resolution to his West Brom future in the New Year.
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