Roger East is a man who sticks to his guns.
The Wiltshire referee appeared to show a red card to the wrong man during Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Sunderland today when awarding the penalty which led to the opening goal.
It seemed to everyone blessed with a set of half-decent eyes that it was John O’Shea who had committed the foul on Radamal Falcao which led to East pointing to the spot.
But the official flashed his red card in the direction of Wes Brown, not O’Shea, and gave him his marching orders as both players tried to reason with him.
Well he is standing by his decision if Gus Poyet’s post-match comments are anything to go by. The Sunderland manager has said that the referee claimed there was more than the one challenge before the penalty was awarded.
“The referee told the players there were two fouls, one committed by John O’Shea and one committed by Wes Brown,” the Uruguayan said. “He gave the Wes Brown one, so that’s why he sent him off. Wes Brown didn’t touch anyone, so I don’t know what he saw.”Â
Official statement from Professional Game Match Officials Limited regarding Wes Brown’s red card in #MUNSUN: pic.twitter.com/m8HCIUY05c — Premier League (@premierleague) February 28, 2015
H/t to DailyMail