Liverpool Appeals Alexis Mac Allister’s Red Card Decision
In case you missed it, Liverpool has officially appealed against the controversial red card given to Alexis Mac Allister during their Premier League match against Bournemouth.
Mac Allister was shown a straight red card by referee Thomas Bramall after a challenge with Ryan Christie, just before the hour mark in the Reds’ 3-1 victory at Anfield on Saturday.
Both VAR Paul Tierney and assistant Constantine Hatzidakis did not find any reason to advise Bramall to review the decision on the pitchside monitor. This leaves Mac Allister, who was making his home debut after joining from Brighton for £35 million in the summer, facing a three-match suspension.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressed his doubts about the decision immediately after the match and hinted at the possibility of appealing against the sending-off.
Now, the Reds have decided to appeal under the category of ‘wrongful dismissal’ with the Football Association, within the two-day deadline following the incident.
An independent regulatory commission will review the evidence provided by the FA and has the authority to overturn the decision, resulting in the cancellation of Mac Allister’s suspension.
A decision is expected later this week, but as it stands, Mac Allister is set to miss the upcoming match against Newcastle United, as well as games against Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Liverpool is aware of the FA’s stance on ‘frivolous’ appeals, which could lead to a four-game ban if the appeal is rejected. However, an appeal can also be dismissed without any additional punishment if there is justification for questioning the initial decision.
Speaking about the incident on Saturday, Klopp said, “I saw it back, I think the amount of times I’ve been asked about it shows we’re discussing it. In the game, I asked Macca and he said ‘I touched him but not really’, that was all he told me. After the game, I saw it and if you have a list of points of what we need to give a red card, for what we need for contact, no other box is ticked in that moment. I think the punishment of 40 minutes with 10 men is already punishment enough.”
New Liverpool man Alexis Mac Allister is currently facing a three-match ban (Image: Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)