‘Clear and easy to justify’ – Carlos Baleba told why he was sent-off at Bournemouth by ex-referee

Carlos Baleba should not be sent off at Bournemouth, says former Premier League referee Jeff Winter.

   Brighton secured the three points with a 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium thanks to goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Joao Pedro.

   Albion, after Baleba’s second yellow card for a fight with Milos Kerkez in the 59th minute, finished more nervously than expected.

   Speaking to Grosvenor Casinos, Winter said: “The first booking for Baleba was easy. It’s one of those cynical mistakes where the commentators will say, ‘He took one for the team.’

   “If there’s any criticism of Baleba, it’s that you have to be very, very careful when you’ve already been cautioned. But the second yellow was harsh. Not every free kick warrants a caution, and a second yellow should be more than  just one offence, either persistent offending – multiple offenses after conviction – or a challenge that is clear and easy to justify.

   “In this case you could argue that it wasn’t even a foul. The referee should have spoken to the player and cautioned him. But for me it was never a red card.”

   Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler added: “It can’t be a second yellow card. Hopefully the referee will look at it and make a decision and take the yellow card back because frankly it’s never a yellow card.

   “It wasn’t our best football game, but looking at it from another perspective, we worked really hard. We stick together, we stick to our defensive principles and we suffered together.”

   Baleba could now miss Brighton’s next game against Southampton at the Amex on Friday, although the club plan to appeal.