FA Cup ref sparks crimson card fury as boss fumes ‘in opposition to us it is at all times troublesome to see’
Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 thrashing of Fulham but Eagles star Adam Wharton was lucky to avoid a red card in the first half when the score was level
Fulham manager Marco Silva was left absolutely livid after a decisive moment involving Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton went unpunished in their FA Cup quarter-final clash.
Wharton, who had been cautioned early in the tie and left walking a tightrope, kicked out at Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz in the first half at Craven Cottage, when the score was 0-0.
But referee Darren England did not deem it worthy of a second caution and VAR didn’t prompt a pitch-side review, as it can only intervene on potential straight red cards.
With Wharton remaining on the field, Crystal Palace started to dominate. Eberechi Eze brilliantly scored the opener before setting up Ismaila Sarr for the second goal. And in the second half, substitute Eddie Nketiah sealed a 3-0 victory.
The altercation involving Wharton sparked heated discussions among commentators following the game, with ex-Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer saying on BBC Radio Five Live: “I think Wharton has lashed out a little bit there.
“He clearly kicks out at him. It seems a petulant swing and I think that is the only reason he has got away with that. I think he is very fortunate that they haven’t taken it any further,” reports the Mirror.
Silva voiced his frustration over the contentious decision, telling ITV: “For me it is clear, it’s a second yellow card but we are used to these kind of situations.
He added: “I prefer to say we are unlucky but it has been a long story with us. Of course VAR cannot overturn this decision but you have many eyes inside the pitch, the linesman has all the angles to see it, the fourth official.
“It is a clear second yellow card, definitely. It would have a massive impact on the game but against us it is always more difficult to see. We have been unlucky in these type of situations and let’s hope it will be balanced at the end of the season.”
Speaking on ITV, former Crystal Palace striker Ian Wright commented: “It is risky. I think he is very fortunate that the laws are so complicated. [VAR] can’t look at that for some reason.
“You could probably get booked for that. He is very fortunate to get away with that because he has kicked out at him. It’s not violent conduct but he’s clipped him.”
