West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek was sent off during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Fulham for an elbow on Aleksandar Mitrovic; Soucek faces a three-match ban and could miss games against Manchester United, Sheffield United and Tottenham
Sunday 7 February 2021 12:35, UK
West Ham have appealed against the red card shown to Tomas Soucek in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham.
Soucek was controversially sent off by referee Mike Dean after his elbow made contact with Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic's face as the pair prepared for a West Ham free-kick.
Dean showed a straight red card to Soucek after consulting the pitchside monitor, after being invited to do so by VAR official Lee Mason, despite there appearing to be no intent behind the contact.
West Ham manager David Moyes said he felt "embarrassed" for Dean is his post-match comments, and the Premier League club have confirmed they will appeal the decision.
"West Ham United have submitted notice to The Football Association to appeal the red card Tomas Soucek was shown in Saturday's Premier League fixture against Fulham," read a club statement.
"The Czech midfielder was sent-off in added time at the end of the second half after coming into contact with Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic.
"Referee Mike Dean was asked to look at the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR official Lee Mason and decreed that the No 28's actions constituted violent conduct.
"The appeal against Soucek's red card will now be reviewed by an independent regulatory commission at the Football Association."
Soucek is set to receive a three-match ban if West Ham are unsuccessful in their appeal.
The suspension would rule him out of the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Manchester United on Tuesday, as well as their upcoming Premier League games against Sheffield United and Tottenham.
Jamie Redknapp says referee Mike Dean's decision to send off Tomas Soucek is "genuinely worrying" and he believes football is becoming "sanitised" because of VAR.
He told Sky Sports: "What is happening to our game? We all love football, but when you see decisions like that… you can blame Mike Dean, VAR, whoever you want. What is he seeing there? He goes over to the screen and still decides to give him a red card.
"He's tried to get his arm out of the way. Mitrovic has tried to grab him, and he lifts his arm to get it out of the way, and completely by accident he catches him. What is football coming to when we give that as a red card? Even the players can't believe it.
"Mike Dean has had so many years officiating, and he thinks he's meant to do that? This is why people get so frustrated when people watch football now, when they see things like that. It goes away from what we love about the game.
"The fact that Mike Dean went over there and though it was a red card is a genuine worry for me. I'd like to see Mike Dean come out, say he's looked at it overnight and admit that he's made a huge mistake."
Redknapp added: "The game has become so sanitised now. There is no way that should be a red card. It has to be rescinded.
"The people using VAR are not using any common sense whatsoever when they get to the decisions they do. Football was always a simple game, but now it's become so complicated with the rules. It's not always VAR's fault, but I want to get to a situation where things are made simpler."
