Ex-referee blasts FA inconsistency and speaks out in support of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho

Mark Halsey has become a prominent refereeing expert since retiring

FORMER elite referee Mark Halsey has slammed the FA for slapping a £50,000 on Jose Mourinho after he suggested referees were afraid to give decisions.

 

It is the fourth time Mourinho has incurred the wrath of the FA's disciplinary branch, and brings his total fines up to nearly £100,000.

However, Halsey feels that it displays double standards on the governing body's behalf.

"You look at Arsene Wenger, he came out and criticised Mike Dean and nothing was said; he wasn’t even charged," wrote Halsey in a column for Goal.com. 

"You’ve got to be consistent.

"We’ve seen it in the past, Wenger pushed Mourinho last season and the FA didn’t take any action. 

"You get Nigel Pearson holding a Crystal Palace player down on the floor, threatening to knock his block off, and yet the FA don’t take any action so once again it’s the FA showing its inconsistency in dealing with players and managers.

"I’m just as miffed as Chelsea and Mourinho because the punishment, for me, is far excessive for the crime and, as for what Mourinho said about only him being punished by the FA, I think he's right, as the proof is there in the pudding."

 

Saturday's fixture between Tottenham and Liverpool gave a perfect example of those inconsistencies, as Mauricio Pochettino escaped punishment for repeatedly barracking the referee.

Pochettino was livid that referee Craig Pawson did not show Milner a second yellow card for a tackle on Danny Rose.

However, Halsey believes that it should have been the Tottenham manager, not the Liverpool midfielder, who should have been given his marching orders.

"James Milner's clash with Danny Rose was all about managing the game and you have to ask whether it was careless, reckless, reckless with excessive force, or an accidental collision?

 

"He most probably would have got away with giving Tottenham a free-kick; had Liverpool gone on and scored I think there would have been mayhem because it was a free-kick.

"When it comes to Pochettino’s reaction, though, it’s the job of the fourth official to calm him down. If he can’t do that then you get the referee over and move him into the stand.

"But what’s the difference with his behaviour to what Mourinho is saying after the game?

"Pochettino has an example to set in that technical area, especially to the young fans, but he’s clearly animated after that decision, he’s not happy and he’s not setting the right example. 

"So, quite rightly, perhaps he could have been moved to the stand and that’s when you receive your touchline ban or your stadium ban, for misdemeanours in that technical area."