Chelsea to appeal for Courtois Red card
Chelsea is set to appeal against the Red-card given to Thibaut Courtois in the opening week fixture against Swansea, for his tackle on Gomis. Courtois has been given a one match ban and his appeal will be heard by the Football Association
The Belgian Goalkeeper had a nightmare start of the season as he was given a red card, straight away, for a tackle on Bafetimbi Gomis. The Swansea man made a brilliant run, losing his mark in the 52nd minute, after which he was brought down by Chelsea’s Goalkeeper. Gary Cahill was unable to track Gomis’s run forcing Thibaut to take things in his own hands and a deft touch by Gomis while trapping the ball, ensured that the ball was away from Gomis when Courtois went in for the challenge thus getting him sent off.
"Jose Mourinho should appeal... he has nothing to lose.” Mark Halsey said writing for Goal.com "The penalty was clear but whether or not to issue a red card was a very difficult decision for Michael Oliver, who is a talented young referee.”
"He has to judge whether an obvious goalscoring opportunity has been denied, so when the incident occurs he's got to consider a number of factors in a matter of seconds: the distance to the goal, the likelihood of Gomis keeping control of the ball, the direction of play and the location and number of defenders in close proximity.” The former Top flight referee added.
"When you think of the incident in terms of those criteria, is there doubt? I have to say yes. Gomis has touched the ball away from goal and taken himself wide, and Gary Cahill is potentially in a position to cover." Halsey further added.
Mark Halsey - former referee.
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